THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


THE  STORY  OF  POMONA 
COLLEGE 


< 


THE 

STORY  OF  POMONA 

COLLEGE 


CHARLES  BURT  SUMNER 


THE  IMIXiRIM  PRESS 

UOHTON  KKW   YORK  ClllCACJO 


Copyright,  1914 
by  LUTHER  H.  GARY 


THE  PILGRIM  PRESS 
BOSTON 


Ed.  -  Psych. 


H51I 


TO  THOSE 

WHO    HAVE    BUILDED   THEIR   LIVES 

INTO  THE 

Foundations  of  Pomona 

this  story  is 

dedicated 


1H7I()17 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

Preface    I 

I    Beginnings 1 

II    Organization 16 

III  Early  Favoring  Conditions  ....  26 

IV  Pomona  Ideals 39 

V    The  First  Trustees 52 

VI    The  College  Site 72 

VII    Preparatory  Work 86 

VIII    Music  and  Art 103 

IX    Claremont 116 

X  President  Baldwin's  Administration  .        .  128 

XI  The  Earlier  Professors        ....  152 

XII    The  College  Campus 174 

XIII  Christian  Life  at  Pomona   ....  187 

XIV  President  Ferguson's  Administration         .  203 
XV    Athletics 218 

XVI    Working  Halls 231 

XVII  President  Gates'  Administration        .        .  247 

XVIII    Dormitories 209 

XIX  TuK  Library  and  the  Muskum    .        .        ,  282 

XX  The  College  Commons  and  Inn   .        .        .  297 

XXI    Additional  Trusters 'M)G 

XXII  Additional  I'kokkhsoks  .....  .'$20 

XXIII     DiiDicATHjN     Day .'KM 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

XXIV  Pomona  Organizations 343 

XXV  Pomona  Publications 355 

XXVI  TiNANCiAL  Helpers 367 

XXVII  Crises  and  Campaigns 384 

XXVIII  President  Blaisdell's  Administration         .  400 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 
Mart  L.  Sumner  Hall Frontispiece 

FACING 
PAGE 

The  College  "P"  on  the  Mountain      ....  39 

The  Original  Home  op  Pomona  College  in  Pomona  75 

President  Cyrus  Grandison  Baldwin   ....  128 

North  from  the  Library  Steps 150 

Greek  Theater 183 

President  Franklin  La  Du  Ferguson  ....  206 

William  Renwick  Gymnasium 224 

Cyrus  W.  Holmes^  Jr.,  Hall 232 

Frank  P.  Brackett  Observatory 245 

President  George  Augustus  Gates        ....  260 

A.  K.  Smiley  Hall 280 

Andrew  Carnegie  Library 345 

D.  K.  Pearsons  Hall  op  Science 380 

President  James  Arnold  Blaisdell       ....  400 

The  Pageant 414 


PREFACE 

Repeatedly  in  the  past  few  years  I  have  been 
urged  by  close  friends  of  the  College  to  write  its 
history.  The  argument  has  been:  ''You  have  had 
peculiar  opportunities  from  the  beginning  of 
knowing  intimately  both  its  external  and  internal 
affairs.  Its  location  at  Pomona  was  first  suggested 
and  practically  assured  by  you.  You  assisted  in 
its  organization.  During  the  first  three  years, 
before  the  coming  of  a  president,  throughout 
three  administrations  and  so  far  in  the  fourth,  as 
an  officer  on  the  ground,  you  have  been  closely 
concerned  with  its  policies  and  its  business.  For 
seven  years  you  were  on  both  faculty  and  Board 
of  Trustees.  You  must  be  familiar  with  facts 
and  experiences,  eddies,  if  not  flood-tides  and  ebb- 
tides, unknown  to  any  one  else  now  living,  with- 
out which  the  stream  of  its  history  cannot  be 
accurately  traced.  Besides,  you  have  your  own 
viewpoint.  You  alone  can  speak  from  it.  Others 
must  speak  from  a  different  angle.  The  friends 
of  Pomona  have  a  claim  on  you.  Christian  educa- 
tion has  a  claim  on  you.  The  obligation  is  imme- 
diate. Delay  has  ceased  to  be  a  virtue.  Several 
of  the  founders  have  passed  away.  Only  three  of 
the  original  members  are  still  on  the  Board  of 
Trustees.    Even  now,  from  lack  of  sources  of  cor- 

[xi] 


PREFACE 

rect  information,  mistakes  conveying  wrong  im- 
pressions get  into  publications  which  should  be 
authoritative. ' ' 

Commanding  responsibilities  left  me  no  time 
even  to  consider  this  obligation.  At  length  a  se- 
rious illness,  some  time  after  the  period  of 
man's  activities  is  supposed  to  be  past,  led  to 
more  leisure.  The  approach  of  the  twenty-fifth 
anniversary  of  the  founding  of  the  College,  too, 
gave  occasion  for  thought. 

Looking  the  field  over  carefullj^  I  could  see  no 
likelihood  that  for  a  long  time  to  come  any  one 
else  at  all  familiar  with  College  matters  would 
have  the  leisure  and  be  in  circumstances  to  justify 
his  undertaking  this  work.  It  meant  a  year  or 
more  of  time  to  do  it  at  all  adequately,  and  con- 
siderable expense,  with  slow  and  small  return.  It 
was  a  labor  of  love.  With  others,  I  had  fondly 
hoped  that  Professor  Brackett  would  be  our  first 
historian.  But  work  is  particularly  crowding 
him,  and  he  is  so  essential  to  the  college  activities 
that  it  would  probably  be  several  years,  all  other 
things  being  favorable,  before  he  could  possibly 
undertake  the  task. 

Hence  I  have  been  led  to  write  from  the  obser- 
vations and  the  experiences  at  my  command,  and 
draw  out  as  best  I  could  the  purposes  and  spirit 
of  the  events  in  connection  with  the  College,  trust- 
ing that  one  or  more  besides  myself  may  sooner 
or  later  wiite  the  history  from  a  different  view-- 

[xii3 


PREFACE 

point,  and  that  by  and  by  some  master  hand  will 
collect  and  arrange  the  data,  pass  final  judgment, 
and  draw  out  the  philosophy,  as  we  who  have  had 
an  active  part  in  the  events  narrated  could  not 
be  expected  to  do. 

Such  as  it  is,  I  have  greatly  enjoyed  the  work, 
and  have  found  very  cordial  and  hearty  coopera- 
tion in  it.  I  am  indebted  to  both  Dean  Norton 
and  Professor  Brackett,  among  many  others,  for 
corrections  and  suggestions,  and  to  Miss  Grace 
Thomas,  not  only  for  much  of  the  hand  work,  but 
for  helping  me  to  edit  the  copy.  More  especially 
am  I  indebted  to  my  son,  Dr.  George  Stedman 
Sumner,  for  suggestions  of  a  broader  and  more 
general  character,  as  well  as  for  something  of 
detail. 

In  spite  of  the  utmost  endeavors  of  the  most 
conscientious  writers  to  avoid  all  prejudice  and 
bias  and  unconsidered  judgments,  it  is  impossible 
to  narrate  events  accurately  without  some  per- 
sonal coloring.  Whatever  coloring  of  that  sort 
there  may  be  here  is  my  own,  and  mine  alone  is 
the  responsibility  for  it. 


[  xiii  J 


CHAPTER  I 

BEGINNINGS 

The  first  person  known  to  have  cherished  the 
idea  of  a  college  in  Southern  California  was  Mr. 
Myron  H.  Crafts.  A  native  of  Whately,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  a  descendant  in  direct  line  of  one 
w^ho  came  to  this  country  in  the  Mayflower,  Mr. 
Crafts  was  an  active,  virile  and  most  interesting 
character.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  left  school, 
and,  pushing  out  for  himself,  in  a  few  years  built 
up  a  prosperous  business  in  the  City  of  New 
York.  Induced  to  return  to  his  native  state  for 
business  reasons,  he  remained  for  some  years  at 
Enfield.  Here  he  was  married.  Returning  again 
to  New  York,  he  found  time  to  take  an  active  part 
in  establishing  the  Five  Points  Mission.  His 
spirit  of  enterprise  at  length  took  him  west,  and 
in  Jackson,  Michigan,  his  store  was  thrice  burned 
''because  he  was  an  abolitionist."*  At  Dimon- 
dale,  where  next  he  was  in  business,  his  wife  died. 
Removing  to  Lansing,  he  entered  the  banking 
business,  and  after  a  year  or  two  was  called  to 
Detroit  as  cashier  of  a  bank.    Prompted  by  the 

*  It,  iH  an  iiilf'icHtiii^j  fact  tli;il,  iiolwilliHlaiidiii;;  this  oxporionce, 
a  fiivv  yi'iiVH  lalcr  a  .Siuiday  Hfliool  claHS  which  ho  had  liuijjrht  in 
.lackHoii  H(!iit  a  Hilvcr  cninmiinioii  HCM'vico  to  tho  churcli  lio  vvns 
tryirifj   to   <'Hlal)liHli    in    San    I'.criiardino. 

[1] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

same  spirit  of  enterprise  that  brought  him  west,  a 
true  pioneer,  he  went  to  this  remote  region  and 
invested  in  the  Altoona  Ranch,  afterwards  known 
as  Grafton.  This  ranch,  located  to  the  east  of 
San  Bernardino,  near  and  in  the  foothills,  con- 
tained four  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  was  well  wa- 
tered and  very  fruitful.  At  once  a  pronounced 
friend  of  the  Indians  who  remained  in  this  \dcin- 
ity,  he  employed  a  large  number  of  them  on  his 
ranch. 

Mr.  Crafts,  among  his  many  public  duties,  was 
associated  with  Professor  and  Mrs.  Ellison  Rob- 
bins  in  educational  matters.  After  the  death  of 
Professor  Robbins  he  married  Mrs.  Robbins,  who 
had  come  to  California  with  her  husband  in  1854. 
Mrs.  Crafts  was  a  bright,  efficient  woman,  a 
teacher  before  and  after  her  first  marriage,  and 
had  a  school  for  Indians  in  their  home  at  Crafton. 

Alike  in  tastes,  in  ideals  and  in  fundamental 
purposes,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crafts  were  well  mated. 
Both  came  into  this  section  not  primarily  to  make 
money,  but  to  make  effective  lives  and  to  help 
build  up  Christian  civilization.  Their  home  was 
attractive  and  very  hospitable.  In  response  to 
urgent  entreaties  this  home  became  a  sanatorium, 
where  Helen  Hunt  Jackson  stayed  two  successive 
seasons  and  where  many  another  interesting  per- 
sonage, from  this  State  and  from  the  far  East, 
found  a  favorite  resort.  One  of  Mr.  Crafts'  last 
acts  was  to  entertain  the  Congregational  Asso- 

[2] 


BEGINNINGS 

ciation  at  his  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crafts  were 
ardent  workers  in  Sunday  school  and  church. 
Through  their  labors  a  Congregational  church 
was  organized  in  San  Bernardino  in  1866.  For 
some  years  this  church  worshiped  in  a  hall 
owned  by  Mr.  Crafts;  in  1875  it  erected  the  sec- 
ond Protestant  church  building  in  Southern  Cali- 
fornia, on  lots  given  by  him. 

Mrs.  Crafts,  by  reason  of  training,  and  long  ex- 
perience in  teaching  the  higher  branches,  and  Mr. 
Crafts,  from  strong  New  England  predilections, 
were  interested  in  higher  education.  They  re- 
garded this  as  one  of  the  most  efficient  agencies 
in  attaining  the  kind  of  civilization  they  were 
striving  for.  Good  advocates,  in  private  and  in 
public,  they  kept  these  ideals  before  the  commu- 
nity and  before  the  churches.  ^V^len  a  district 
Congregational  Association  was  formed  they  se- 
cured a  provision  in  the  constitution  for  an  Edu- 
cation Committee,  and  the  passing  of  a  resolution 
''looking  toward  the  establishment  of  a  Christian 
Academy. ' ' 

The  ministry  of  the  new  church  was  more  or 
less  temporary  for  a  few  years,  but  in  1875  Rev. 
and  Mrs.  J.  T.  Ford  came  from  the  East  to  take 
up  the  pastoral  work.  Here  were  congenial  com- 
panions,  and  just  the  sort  of  helpers  needed. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ford  were  born  and  bred  in 
New  England  and  thoroughly  wedded  to  Now 
England  ideas.    The  enthusiasm  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

[3] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Crafts  was  contagious,  and  very  soon  the  new 
pastor  and  his  wife  were  as  ardent  advocates  of 
higher  education  in  Southern  California  as  they. 
Together  they  labored  for  years  before  the  time 
seemed  ripe  to  push  their  project.  The  field  was 
a  hard  one.  The  strong  Mormon  influence  that 
had  prevailed  in  this  region  for  several  years  had 
not  been  helpful  toward  the  propagation  of  New 
England  ideas  of  religion  or  education.  But  set- 
tlers of  a  better  sort  came,  gradually  increasing 
the  number  of  churches,  until  in  1883  it  was 
deemed  wise  to  propose  in  the  Association  the 
election  of  a  large,  strong,  representative  Educa- 
tion Committee  from  the  various  churches,  and 
to  authorize  it  to  * '  establish  a  Christian  Academy 
or  College."  By  unanimous  vote  such  a  commit- 
tee of  seven  members  was  chosen.  The  Commit- 
tee was  made  permanent,  that  it  might  be  able  to 
form  large  and  adequate  plans,  with  time  to  exe- 
cute them. 

This  action  was*  clearly  an  advance  on  the  part 
of  the  churches  towards  the  ideal  of  Mr.  Crafts 
and  Mr.  Ford,  in  that  the  possibility  of  a  college 
was  recognized,  in  place  of  the  academy  first 
called  for. 

During  the  next  two  years  the  growth  was  more 
rapid,  and  new  churches  multiplied  rapidly.  At 
the  end  of  that  time  the  Education  Committee  re- 
ported to  the  Association  their  purpose  *'to  es- 
tablish a  college  of  the  New  England  type. ' '    This 

[4] 


BEGINNINGS 

declaration  was  received  with  enthusiasm.  Evi- 
dently the  churches  as  well  as  the  Committee  had 
progressed  beyond  the  thought  of  an  academy  or 
one  of  those  low-grade,  half-fledged  institutions 
with  the  name  "college,"  so  common  in  pioneer 
communities,  and  felt  that  they  must  have  a 
college  of  recognized  character.  The  Commit- 
tee's w^ay  of  putting  their  purpose  is  suggestive. 
Here  they  were,  diagonally  across  the  Continent 
three  thousand  miles  from  New  England,  and  yet 
they  naturally  referred  to  its  institutions  as  well 
understood  for  their  standards  and  their  work; 
and  they  made  no  mistake.  Their  reference  was 
understood  and  approved. 

The  year  following  this  report  of  progress  by 
the  Education  Committee  was  the  famous  year  of 
1886-87,  referred  to  often  as  the  "boom  days"  of 
Southern  California.  It  was  a  most  interesting 
period  of  its  history.  Particularly  the  winter  of 
that  year  was  a  season  of  phenomenal  activity. 
People  came  flocking  into  this  region  from  every 
direction.  Hotels  were  full  and  running  over. 
Private  houses  were  full.  Crowds  wore  on  the 
streets  of  the  cities  and  on  the  trains,  and  all 
manifested  great  interest  in  local  movements. 
A  iniiltitude  of  men  and  many  women  wore  in  the 
r(;al  ostato  business.  Ijands,  csi)ecially  city  lots, 
were  in  dcimand  at  private  sale  and  at  auction. 
An  iiuciAon  of  city  lots  was  a  great  arfnir,  often 
drawing  together  thousands  of  people,  many   of 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

them  eager  to  invest.  New  enterprises  were 
springing  up  like  mushrooms  in  a  night.  People 
entered  into  these  undertakings,  lent  their  names 
and  invested  their  money  in  a  strangely  thought- 
less and  reckless  way.  The  speculative  spirit  pre- 
vailed to  a  degree  almost  beyond  belief  to  one  who 
had  not  personally  witnessed  similar  movements 
in  the  Middle  West,  as  in  St.  Paul  and  Minneap- 
olis, Chicago  and  Kansas  City.  Indeed  Southern 
California  far  outran  the  experiences  of  those 
cities.  Men  very  generally  at  that  time  thought 
and  planned  with  reference  to  the  future  of  this 
section  as  if  the  future  in  its  majesty  were  al- 
ready realized.  Hesitancy,  question,  doubt  of 
such  realization,  were  almost  unknowTi.  To  a  new- 
comer the  largeness  of  the  plans  and  enterprises 
conceived  and  entered  upon  was  as  surprising  as 
their  number  and  their  character. 

In  nothing  was  this  expansiveness  of  thought 
and  action  more  noticeable  than  in  religious  and 
educational  concerns.  Churches  were  springing 
up  in  a  day — often  one,  two,  or  three — where  a 
settlement  had  hardly  begun.  In  fact,  sites  given 
for  churches  to  the  different  denominations  were 
inducements  to  purchase  property.  One  denomi- 
nation after  another  talked  of  an  academy  or  col- 
lege. Some  aspired  to  a  university  with  allied 
schools.  Each  sect  was  anxious  to  have  its  own 
educational  institution.  The  idea  of  uniting  with 
other  sects  in  higher  education  in  such  a  field  as 

[6] 


BEGINNINGS 

Southern  California  met  with  little  toleration. 
Often  an  essential  part  of  the  larger  land 
schemes  was  a  plan  for  an  educational  institution. 
It  was  surprising  to  see  how  popular  the  idea  of 
higher  education  had  become.  Nothing  drew  at- 
tention and  fed  the  flames  of  excitement  like  the 
prospect  of  a  college  or  a  university.  The  promi- 
nence of  this  consideration  so  early  in  local  his- 
tory reminded  one  of  the  early  days  of  New 
England,  where  in  less  than  a  score  of  years  after 
the  landing  of  the  Mayflower,  Harvard  College 
had  its  beginning.  Then  one 's  mind  ran  along  the 
pages  of  history  to  Yale,  Dartmouth,  Williams, 
Oberlin,  Beloit,  Drury,  Carleton,  Yankton,  Forest 
Grove  and  Whitman — the  whole  line  of  Congrega- 
tional colleges,  not  to  speak  of  others,  extending 
across  the  Continent.  Evidently  the  same  spirit 
pervaded  this  new  section  of  the  country  so  cos- 
mopolitan in  its  population. 

The  settlers,  so  few  at  first,  if  not  already  fa- 
miliar with  the  New  England  type  of  Christian 
education,  were  acquainted  with  it  as  their  num- 
bers grew.  The  increase  of  the  early  eighties  was 
more  and  more  rapid,  until  with  the  great  inrush 
of  people  in  188G-87  the  churches  were  multii)li(Hl 
in  numbers,  grew  in  importance,  and  were  ready 
to  assert  tlioir  strength.  The  future  prosperity 
of  Soutliern  California  was  felt  to  be  assured. 
Every  one  was  full  of  hope  and  expectation.  With 
the  multitude,  the  churches  began  lo  live  in  the  fu- 

[7] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ture.  The  nucleus  had  been  so  thoroughly  indoc- 
trinated with  the  idea  of  Christian  education,  and 
so  many  of  the  newcomers  were  the  product  of 
Christian  education,  that  all  hailed  with  gladness 
the  reported  progress  of  the  Education  Commit- 
tee. They  were  ready  for  action.  Every  com- 
munity was  keenly  alive  to  the  situation.  The 
College  was  an  immediate  necessity,  a  matter  of 
course.  ''AVhere  shall  it  be  located?"  was  the 
question  on  many  lips.  It  must  be  accessible  to  all. 
Selfish  considerations  must  not  prevail.  It  must 
have  spacious  grounds,  and  much  money  would 
be  needed  to  build,  equip  and  maintain  it.  Ideals 
were  high.  The  location  would  have  a  commer- 
cial as  well  as  a  moral  value. 

The  first  proposition  which  came  to  the  Educa- 
tion Committee  seemed  on  its  face  attractive.  It 
was  from  the  Land  Company  of  Beaumont,  a 
village  on  the  Southern  Pacific  Railroad  near  the 
edge  of  what  was  then  called  ''the  desert."  By 
invitation  a  visit  was  made  by  the  Committee  to 
Beaumont,  to  examine  the  property  and  weigh 
the  proposition.  Messrs.  Ford,  Hunt,  Wells  and 
Beattie  of  the  Committee,  and  Mr.  Sumner  by 
special  invitation,  under  the  guidance  of  Mr.  A. 
H.  Judson,  representing  the  Land  Company, 
spent  a  day  and  night  on  the  ground.  This  was 
March  31,  1887.  It  was  the  height  of  the  season 
in  this  region.  Everything  in  the  realm  of  nature 
was  at  its  best.    Much  had  been  done  in  the  way 

[8] 


BEGINNINGS 

of  development  and  something  in  the  way  of  beau- 
tifying Beaumont.  All  were  delighted  with  the 
appearance  and  the  possibilities  of  the  place. 

The  hotel  was  new,  comfortable  and  well  kept. 
The  evening  was  spent  around  an  open  fire  in  dis- 
cussing college  matters,  past,  present  and  future. 
College  questions  were  by  no  means  new  to  the 
little  company.  To  one  who  had  just  come  to  this 
section  the  most  vivid  impression  now  remaining 
is  the  prevailing  optimism,  the  supreme  confi- 
dence and  even  enthusiasm  with  which  all  looked 
forward  to  the  undertaking  of  building  a  college. 
Another  memory  is  of  the  recognition  of  the  di- 
vine hand  in  the  college  enterprise,  and  with  it  a 
sublime  idealism.  A  great  future  was  foreshad- 
owed. There  was  no  trace  of  anxiety.  The  way 
was  clear,  the  time  ripe,  the  forces  ready,  the  out- 
come as  certain  as  the  laws  of  nature.  The  ques- 
tion came  surging  back  again  and  again  to  that 
newcomer,  what  did  this  mean?  These  men  had 
long  had  this  matter  in  mind;  they  knew  all  the 
conditions.  Whence  this  confidence?  Was  it  the 
inspiration  of  an  all-wise  Providence,  or  was  it 
simply  one  phase  of  the  prevailing  optimism  in 
Southern  California? 

It  was  well  that  the  future  was  hidden  in  the 
glamor  of  tli(!  hour.  Who  shall  say  that  those 
rn(!n  could  have  borne  th(i  test  had  all  the  future 
lK;en  revealed  to  them?  On  the  other  hand,  (heir 
idealism  r<'ll   f.-ir  short  of  what  the  present  dis- 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

closes.  They  reasoned  from  the  history  of  other 
like  colleges.  Could  they  have  looked  beyond  the 
present  on  the  larger  success  in  store,  the  inter- 
vening burdens  would  have  seemed  of  little 
moment. 

The  next  morning  the  following  vote  was 
passed:  "Whereas,  the  founding  of  a  college  of 
the  New  England  type  in  Southern  California  is 
desirable;  and  Whereas  Beaumont  offers  great 
climatic  advantages,  with  the  prospect  of  secur- 
ing donations  of  grounds  for  campus,  and  lands 
estimated  to  yield  two  hundred  thousand  dollars ; 
therefore.  Resolved :  That  the  committee  view  the 
location  of  a  college  at  this  point  with  favor,  and 
will  so  report  to  the  Association  in  May.  Also 
Resolved:  That  if  certain  lands  are  secured,  ful- 
filling the  above  expectations,  we  are  heartily  in 
favor  of  locating  the  college  at  this  point,  and  will 
contract  for  the  same  prior  to  the  meeting  of  the 
Association  if  necessary." 

A  week  after  the  visit  to  Beaumont  the  Com*- 
mittee  was  invited  to  examine  a  proposition  from 
Lugonia,  in  what  is  now  a  part  of  Redlands. 
Again  by  request  Mr.  Sumner  acted  with  the 
Committee.  The  site  was  commanding  and  at- 
tractive, the  very  spot  Mr.  Sumner,  spending  a 
vacation  in  California,  had  visited  three  years 
before  under  Mr.  Ford's  guidance  as  that  se- 
lected by  Deacon  Crafts  and  Mr.  Ford  for  the  Col- 
lege.   This  oifer,  too,  included  with  the  campus  a 

[10] 


BEGINNINGS 

liberal  subscription  in  land  and  money,  in  value 
estimated  at  one  hundred  and  eighty  thousand 
dollars. 

The  prospect  of  a  choice  between  two  such 
propositions  was  most  encouraging.  And  yet  to 
some  of  those  inspecting  them,  neither  of  the  two 
was  ideal.  The  questions  were  asked  whether  it 
would  not  be  possible  to  secure  a  place  more  eas- 
ily accessible  to  all  Southern  California,  and 
whether  a  site  might  not  be  found  in  a  better  all- 
the-year-round  climate.  At  that  time  the  means 
of  communication  was  very  different  from  what  it 
is  today,  and  the  possibilities  of  ''the  desert"  had 
not  yet  been  brought  to  light.  Imperial  County, 
already  so  rich  and  prosperous,  had  not  found  a 
place  even  in  the  imagination. 

Just  these  objections,  at  all  events,  led  to  hon- 
est efforts  to  find  another  location.  As  usual, 
searching  was  rewarded  by  finding — this  time  an 
ideal  site.  It  was  on  a  mesa  near  the  foothills 
five  miles  north  of  Pomona,  and  had  just  come 
into  the  hands  of  Mr.  H.  A.  Palmer,  one  of  the 
most  active  supporters  of  the  movement  for  a 
Congregational  church  at  Pomona.  The  land  was 
supposed  to  be  very  valuable.  Parties  were  seek- 
ing it  for  a  tourist  hotel.  An  ai)peal  was  made 
to  Mr.  Palmer,  and  not  in  vain.  The  College 
would  h(?lp  the  Church,  and  the  Church  would 
help  the  College.  Mr.  Palmer  gave  eighty  acres. 
It  was  Saturday  evening  when  he  put  pen  to  pa- 

[11] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

per.  That  same  night  the  Misses  Wheeler,  two 
ladies  from  Boston  who  were  spending  the  win- 
ter in  Pomona,  added  forty  acres  adjoining  Mr. 
Palmer's  eighty,  and  other  persons  gave  one 
thousand  dollars  in  money.  With  this  start  the 
matter  was  put  before  the  congregation  the  next 
morning  at  the  close  of  the  church  service,  and 
was  received  kindly  and  heartily.  The  result  was 
a  subscription  in  land  and  money  from  Pomona 
and  vicinity  estimated  to  yield  one  hundred  and 
sixty  thousand  dollars. 

At  the  May  meeting  of  the  District  Association 
all  the  churches  of  like  faith  united  to  form  the 
General  Association  of  Congregational  Churches 
of  Southern  California.  This  General  Associa- 
tion appointed  the  Education  Committee  of  the 
District  Association  as  its  Education  Committee, 
adding  five  new  members  and  thus  making  a 
strong  committee  of  twelve.  Full  power  was 
given  this  Committee  to  act  on  any  and  all  matters 
pertaining  to  the  location  and  organization  of  a 
college,  with  instructions  to  decide  on  the  location 
within  thirty  days.  Such  limitation  in  so  weighty 
a  matter  shows  clearly  the  mercurial  temper  of 
the  popular  mind  in  real  estate  matters.  The 
Beaumont  proposition  had  already  been  with- 
drawn, and  the  Lugonia  proposition  was  mth- 
drawn  before  the  final  action  of  the  Committee. 
An  offer  from  Pasadena  and  one  from  River- 
side   were    in    the    air,    and    their   presentation 

[12] 


BEGINNINGS 

was  expected,  but  they  did  not  mature.  Such 
matters  couid  not  wait.  Quick  action  was  a 
necessity. 

A  meeting  of  the  enlarged  committee  was  called 
for  May  18  at  The  First  Congregational  Church, 
Los  Angeles.  The  burning  of  a  neighboring  build- 
ing compelled  adjournment,  and  the  meeting  was 
held  the  next  morning  at  ten  o'clock.  All  the 
members  were  present  except  Messrs.  Weitzel 
and  Mack:  namely,  Messrs.  Beattie,  Ford,  Hunt, 
Mills,  Murphy,  Oakley,  Park,  Sheldon,  Smith  and 
Wells.  After  full  and  free  discussion,  informal 
action  was  taken  on  the  site  to  be  accepted.  A 
very  large  majority  voted  for  the  site  near  Po- 
mona. This  informal  action  was  then  made  for- 
mal by  a  unanimous  vote.  The  approval  was 
contingent  on  a  guaranteed  water  suyjply,  which 
was  afforded  later  by  Mr.  Palmer.  The  Commit- 
tee then  elected  nine  trustees  in  the  following  or- 
der :  Rev.  James  T.  Ford  of  San  Bernardino,  Mr. 
Henry  K.  W.  Bent  of  Pasadena,  Andrew  J.  Wells 
of  Long  Beach,  Mr.  Henry  A.  Palmer  of  Oakland, 
Rev.  Charles  B.  Sumner  of  Pomona,  Rev.  Charles 
B.  Sheldon  of  Pomona,  Mr.  Seth  Richards  of 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  Rev.  James  H.  Harwood, 
D.D.,  of  Sail  Diego,  and  Mr.  Nathan  W.  Blan- 
chard  of  Santa  Paula. 

The  decision  as  to  the  number  which  was  to 
oonstitute  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  the  election 
of  others  if  any  others  wore  required,  were  left 

[13] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

to  the  nine  trustees  chosen.  It  was  further  voted 
as  the  sense  of  the  Committee  ''that  a  majority 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  should  always  be 
members  of  Congregational  churches,  and  that 
this  provision  should  be  put  in  the  deed  of 
conveyance."  The  Committee  then  adjourned 
sine  die. 

Thus  the  desire  amongst  Congregationalists  to 
have  an  institution  of  higher  education  in  South- 
ern California  had  grown  and  developed  into  a 
purpose  to  build  a  college  of  the  New  England 
type,  a  purpose  so  strong  that  it  commanded  the 
supreme  attention  and  most  considerate  action 
of  their  assembled  churches  in  the  very  first,  and 
so  peculiarly  important,  meeting  of  their  General 
Association.  The  Association,  with  a  manifest  ap- 
preciation of  the  real  nature  of  their  action  and 
in  full  assurance  of  the  future,  prepared  the  way 
for  the  establishment  of  such  a  college  by  the  se- 
lection of  a  location,  by  setting  apart  a  self -per- 
petuating body  of  representative  men  entrusted 
with  its  organization  and  destiny,  and  still  fur- 
ther by  putting  into  their  hands  funds  deemed 
sufficient  to  start  the  enterprise  on  a  scale  com- 
mensurate with  the  ideals  of  these  historic 
churches. 

Surely  this  was  the  worthy  action  of  no  mean 
body,  and  an  action  of  no  mean  significance.  It 
was  nothing  less  than  the  first  official  act  in  the 
launching  of  Pomona  CoUege,  which  for  twenty- 

[14] 


BEGINNINGS 

five  years  already,  alike  in  the  home  land  and 
across  Continent  and  oceans,  in  far  distant  non- 
Christian  lands,  has  been  offering  her  "tribute  to 
Christian  civilization. ' ' 


[15] 


CHAPTER  II 

ORGANIZATION 

It  would  be  difficult  to  portray  iu  too  glowing 
colors  the  confident  expectations,  widely  prev- 
alent in  this  section  at  the  time  the  College  was 
located,  as  to  the  future  of  Southern  California. 
A  dense  population  was  speedily  to  have  filled 
these  valleys  and  mounted  upon  these  hillsides; 
institutions  were  to  have  multiplied  in  number 
and  developed  in  character  with  a  rapidity  far 
beyond  belief  even  at  the  present  day;  this  little 
section  of  territory  was  to  have  become  in  a  few 
years  a  potent  factor  in  our  own  country  and  in 
the  Far  East. 

Equally  difficult  would  it  be  to  exaggerate  the 
prevailing  change  in  conditions  that  took  place, 
beginning  but  a  few  months  after  the  events  nar- 
rated at  the  close  of  the  previous  chapter.  The 
visitors  disappeared  and  none  came  to  take  their 
places ;  artisans  in  great  numbers  were  returning 
to  the  East;  many  enterprises  were  abandoned; 
financial  failures  were  common;  mortgages  were 
prevalent;  nearly  every  one  was  depressed  in 
spirits ;  croakers  were  on  every  hand.  It  was  hard 
to  get  a  hearing  for  any  enterprise,  however  .^'ood 
and  great,  whether  it  were  in  distress  or  in  a 

[16] 


ORGANIZATION 

hopeful  condition.  People  were  deaf  to  appeals, 
for  the  most  part  with  good  reason,  for  money  in 
circulation  was  little  seen. 

Artists  could  hardly  paint  the  atmosphere  too 
gray  or  the  surroundings  too  forbidding,  into 
which  the  college  enterprise,  just  set  forth  with 
such  bright  prospects,  was  doomed  to  enter. 
Even  before  the  organization  was  completed 
threatening  signs  were  in  evidence.  It  required 
all  the  courage  and  impetus  gained  from  earlier 
success  to  stem  the  current  and  push  on  toward 
the  goal.  When  troubles  began  to  thicken  beyond 
endurance,  it  happened,  as  has  frequently  been 
the  case  in  Pomona's  history,  that  a  kind  Prov- 
idence at  the  opportune  moment  interposed  in  her 
behalf. 

Great  confidence  was  reposed  in  the  Education 
Committee  of  the  General  Association.  Every 
one  felt  that  these  men  would  be  free  from  prej- 
udice and  selfish  consideration  and  that  their  ac- 
tion would  be  far-reaching,  conservative  and 
wise.  The  churches  were  prepared  to  receive  with 
favor  their  decision  and  the  plans  they  should 
outline.  The  location  determined  upon  was  as- 
suredly the  best  available,  and  was  accepted  as 
id(!a].  Tlie  nine  trustees,  ap[)()int(Ml  from  liomcs 
well  scattered  over  the  Southland,  were  of  recog- 
i\\7ah]  fitness  and  known  to  be  heartily  committed 
io  the  enterprise.  Not  a  word  of  grumbling  was 
heard;  no  petty  jealousy  was  mniiifeHt;  no  heart- 

[17] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

burnings  were  discovered.  There  was  a  great 
and  wide-spread  sense  of  relief  and  supreme  sat- 
isfaction that  the  enterprise,  actually  started  on 
so  broad  a  basis,  was  entrusted  to  such  admirable 
managers. 

The  full  importance  of  this  general  confidence 
could  hardly  have  been  understood  at  the  time. 
Experience  has  revealed  the  fact  that  the  secur- 
ing and  the  maintaining  of  confidence  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  its  affairs,  from  the  beginning 
unto  the  present  day,  have  been  prominent  fac- 
tors in  the  success  of  the  College.  The  effect  is 
seen  not  only  as  objective,  in  winning  approval 
more  and  more  widely  and  in  retaining  the  loy- 
alty of  our  constituency,  but  also  as  subjective, 
in  cheering,  sustaining  and  strengthening  the 
Board  of  Trustees  and  the  Faculty  in  days  of 
trial  and  distress. 

With  every  one  in  a  waiting  and  expectant  at- 
titude, few  days  could  be  allowed  to  pass  after 
the  adjournment  of  the  Education  Committee  be- 
fore the  appointees  met  to  carry  forward  the  or- 
ganization. At  successive  meetings  the  number 
of  the  trustees  was  fixed  at  fifteen,  and  the  fol- 
lowing men  were  elected  to  fill  out  the  quota: 
Judge  Anson  Brunson  of  Los  Angeles,  Rev.  T.  C. 
Hunt  of  Riverside,  Rev.  D.  D.  Hill  of  Pasadena, 
Mr.  George  W.  Marston  of  San  Diego,  Mr.  El- 
wood  Cooper  of  Santa  Barbara  and  Rev.  J.  K. 
McLean,  D.D.,  of  Oakland.    The  name  of  the  Col- 

[18] 


ORGANIZATION 

lege  was  repeatedly  discussed,  and  votes  were 
taken  without  agreement.  Finally  ''Piedmont," 
the  name  given  to  the  village  to  be  built  up  about 
the  College,  was  adopted.  This  was  later  changed 
to  "Pomona,"  ''temporarily,"  as  a  concession 
to  the  city  of  Pomona,  which  had  secured  the 
change  of  name  of  the  Santa  Fe  station  between 
Piedmont  and  Pomona  to  "North  Pomona,"  in 
order  to  link  the  College  more  closely  to  that  city. 
Finally,  Articles  of  Incorporation,  endorsed  by 
Judge  Brunson,  were  adopted  and  ordered  filed. 
These  Articles  of  Incorporation  gave  the  name, 
"The  Pomona  College";  the  purpose,  to  build 
and  maintain  a  college  and  a  preparatory  school 
or  schools,  distinctively  Christian  but  not  secta- 
rian, to  be  open  to  both  sexes ;  the  location  of  the 
College,  near  North  Pomona;  the  location  of  the 
preparatory  school  or  schools,  wherever  desirable 
within  the  limits  of  the  State ;  the  number  of  trus- 
tees, fifteen,  a  majority  of  whom  must  be  mem- 
bers of  Congregational  churches.  Then  follow 
the  names  of  the  Trustees,  and  the  names  of  some 
of  the  subscribers  to  the  funds  of  the  College, 
with  the  amounts  subscribed. 

When  the  incorporation  papers  were  returned, 
a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  was  called, 
as  required  by  law,  for  the  adoption  of  by-laws. 
This  meeting  was  held  October  6,  1887,  at  tlio 
temporary  home  of  Mr.  C.  B.  Sumner,  a  house 
of  five  rooms  situated  on  the  west  side  of  San 

[19] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Antonio  Avenue,  just  north  of  the  Santa  Fe  rail- 
road. There  were  present  Messrs.  Blanchard, 
Ford,  Hill,  Hunt,  Marston,  Palmer,  Sheldon, 
Sumner  and  Wells.  The  Committee  on  By-laws, 
Messrs.  Hill,  Palmer  and  Sumner,  reported  by- 
laws copied  with  modifications  from  those  of  a 
similar  college  in  the  Middle  West.  Each  article 
was  taken  up  and  discussed.  These  discussions 
were  a  revelation  of  the  personality  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  They  proved 
themselves  to  be  earnest,  thoughtful  men,  not 
without  experience  in  educational  matters,  intent 
on  what  they  felt  to  be  a  great  work.  At  times 
the  room  was  pervaded  by  a  sense  of  the  gravity 
and  sacredness  of  the  task  which  was  little  short 
of  oppressive.  The  discussion  often  turned  upon 
different  theories  and  fundamental  principles  of 
education,  developing  a  wide  range  of  thought 
and  familiarity  with  these  high  themes.  The  at- 
tention of  the  Trustees  was  keen  and  absorbing. 
All  day  long  and  far  into  the  night  the  discussion 
continued  without  flagging  of  interest.  Article 
after  article  was  adopted,  and  finally  the  by-laws 
as  a  whole  were  approved.  "VMien  this  work  was 
finished,  the  formal  organization  of  the  Board 
was  effected  by  the  election  of  Mr.  H.  A.  Palmer 
as  President  of  the  Corporation,  Mr.  Nathan  W. 
Blanchard  as  Vice  President,  Mr.  C.  B.  Sheldon 
as  Treasurer,  Mr.  C.  B.  Sumner  as  Secretary, 
and  Messrs.  Palmer,  Sheldon,  Bent,  Ford  and 

[20] 


ORGANIZATION 

Sumner  as  Executive  Committee.  On  the  ad- 
journment of  the  meeting  one  of  the  Trustees 
went  home  with  Mr.  Palmer,  two  accepted  a  prof- 
fered room  at  a  neighbor's  home,  and  the  good 
cheer  with  which  the  rest  adapted  themselves  to 
cramj^ed  quarters  for  the  night  proved  them  true 
pioneers,  ready  to  accept  thankfully  the  dictates 
of  necessity. 

Pomona  College  was  incorporated  under  the 
general  laws  of  California  for  "corporations 
without  profit."  The  president  of  the  corpora- 
tion must  be  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
and  be  elected  to  that  office  annually.  If  the 
president  of  the  faculty,  the  college  president,  is 
not  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  there 
must  be  two  presidents  or  heads,  one  of  the  cor- 
poration and  one  of  the  College.  President  Bald- 
win, at  his  own  request,  was  not  made  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees;  neither  was  President 
Blaisdell  until  the  adoption  of  a  new  code  of  by- 
laws, in  1913,  in  accordance  with  which  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Board.  Presidents  Fer- 
guson and  Gates  were  severally  made  trustees 
and  presidents  of  the  corporation. 

There  have  been  some  changes  in  both  the  cor- 
porate law  and  the  by-laws.  In  1898  the  word 
*'Tlie"  was  dropped  from  the  name  in  tlie  Arti- 
ci(!H  of  Inc()rj>()i-ation,  leaving  tlie  name  simply 
"I^omona  College."  The  statement  as  to  tlie  lo- 
cation  of  tlie  college  was  changed   fiom   "near 

[211 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

North  Pomona"  to  " Claremont " ;  reference  to 
the  church  membership  of  the  trustees  was  omit- 
ted. It  should  be  remembered  that  this  last 
change,  which  did  away  with  denominationalism 
as  a  requirement,  was  made  long  before  the  Car- 
negie Foundation  for  pensioning  teachers,  which 
by  its  provisions  has  become  an  inducement  to 
eliminate  sectarian  requirements,  was  under  con- 
sideration. It  indicated  a  change  of  sentiment 
in  the  denomination,  as  well  as  on  the  part  of  the 
Trustees.  In  1902,  under  President  Gates'  ad- 
ministration, the  Board  emphasized  this  change 
by  unanimous  action  after  full  discussion.  That 
action  also  was  not  prompted  by  the  Carnegie 
Foundation,  which  came  later.  Clearly,  in  view 
of  the  number  of  denominational  colleges  in 
Southern  California,  Pomona  early  showed  a  dis- 
position to  remove  barriers  to  greater  unity  of 
effort. 

Again,  in  1907,  the  Articles  of  Incorporation 
were  changed  by  further  increasing  the  number 
of  trustees  to  twenty.  A  wider  scope  was  also 
given  to  the  purposes  of  the  College,  in  case  need 
should  arise  for  such  power. 

An  attempt  to  revise  the  by-laws  was  made  in 
1897,  and  continued  through  President  Fergu- 
son's administration,  but  the  process  was  not 
completed  until  the  beginning  of  President  Gates ' 
administration.  Once  more,  in  1913,  the  by- 
laws were   revised  and  printed.     The   revision, 

[22] 


ORGANIZATION 

however,  was  rather  for  the  sake  of  adapting 
them  to  altered  conditions  than  the  purpose  of 
making  any  radical  change  in  the  government  of 
the  College. 

Since  the  College  had  no  president  for  the  first 
two  years  of  its  existence,  and  since  President 
Bald^vin  for  the  next  seven  years  strongly  fa- 
vored that  type,  the  methods  of  what  is  termed 
the  ''faculty  college"  became  very  fully  crystal- 
lized. And  yet  under  President  Baldwin's  ad- 
ministration the  Faculty's  protest  to  having  a 
member  of  the  faculty  on  the  Board  of  Trustees 
was  in  principle  accepted  by  the  trustees,  while 
abiding  by  their  own  action  in  what  they  termed 
an  exceptional  case. 

The  form  of  Pomona's  government  has  come 
to  be  in  theory  and  practice  very  much  like  that 
of  Yale  College  as  stated  and  advocated  by  Pres- 
ident Woolsey  in  his  address  at  the  inauguration 
of  President  Porter.  Quoting  his  language: 
**The  board,  in  whose  hands  the  ultimate  decision 
rests,  have  ever  felt  that  their  interference  with- 
out the  request  of  the  officers  of  instruction,  in 
the  study  and  order  of  the  institution,  would  be 
uncalled  for  and  unwise;  that  independent,  un- 
solicited action  on  their  pai-t  would  amount  to 
censure  of  the  faculties  and  would  load  to  dis- 
cord and  confusion.  With  scarcely  an  exception, 
no  law  has  been  passed,  no  officer  appointed,  un- 
less after  full  consultation  and  exchange  of  views 

[23] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

between  the  boards  of  control  and  instruction. 
And  hence,  if  there  are  defects  in  our  system,  the 
faculties  are,  as  they  ought  to  be,  mainly  respon- 
sible; if  an  inefficient  or  unfaithful  officer  comes 
into  a  chair  of  instruction,  the  faculties  who  know 
him  best,  and  not  the  corporation,  are  to  bear 
whatever  censure  is  justly  due.  I  hope  that  this 
may  always  continue.  I  would  not  indeed  have 
the  corporation  a  mere  organ  to  carry  into  effect 
the  will  of  their  subordinate  officers;  I  would 
have  them  think  and  judge  for  themselves,  have 
their  ears  open  to  all  complaints  against  the  sys- 
tem of  teaching  and  governing,  and  see  that  the 
instructions  are  faithfully  and  successfully  given ; 
but  to  interfere,  'nisi  dignus  vindice  nodus/ 
would  be  in  the  highest  degree  unwise;  it  would 
be  to  reduce  the  faculties  to  the  condition  of  mere 
agents,  and  to  drive  away  the  best  officers  from 
the  institution." 

The  name  of  the  College  has  always  been  a 
source  of  regret  to  many  of  her  best  friends.  It 
seems  to  have  been  unfortunate  that  the  first 
name  was  changed,  even,  as  was  intended,  "tem- 
A  porarily."  A  further  change  has  been  discussed, 
sometimes  with  no  little  feeling.  The  confusion 
caused  by  applying  the  name  of  an  adjacent  city 
to  an  educational  institution  located  in  a  city  hav- 
ing a  different  name  is  generally  recognized,  and 
is  likely  never  to  become  less  infelicitous  as 
Claremont  grows  in  importance.     Then,  too,  peo- 

[24] 


ORGANIZATION 

pie  familiar  with  farmers'  granges  in  tlie  East 
assume  that  Pomona  is  an  agricultural  institu- 
tion. Nevertheless,  with  all  the  discussion,  no 
name  has  been  brought  into  prominence  that  ap- 
peals strongly  enough  to  the  alumni  and  other 
friends  of  the  College  to  secure  general  endorse- 
ment. Meantime  "Pomona,"  by  familiarity  and 
experience,  by  song  and  story,  has  been  wrought 
into  mind  and  heart  until  it  has  become  a  part  of 
too  many  lives  ever  to  be  severed  from  the  Col- 
lege without  deep  and  abiding  regrets  and  real 
cankerous  wounds,  unless  some  very  great  boon 
comes  to  the  College  which  shall  suffice  as  a  solace 
for  these  feelings  and  a  balm  for  these  wounds. 


[  25  1 


CHAPTER  III 

EARLY  FAVORING  CONDITIONS 

The  conditions  pertaining  to  all  Christian  col- 
leges created  and  sustained  by  general  benevo- 
lence, in  a  new  country,  must  needs  be  in  general 
much  the  same.  In  some  ways,  however,  the  his- 
tory of  Pomona  has  been  unique.  Most  assur- 
edly its  success  has  been  exceptional.  It  is  quite 
necessary,  therefore,  to  a  clear  understanding  of 
this  history  to  portray  the  conditions  which  have 
contributed  peculiarly  to  its  advantage. 

The  attention  is  directed  first  to  the  great  tidal 
w^ave  of  interest  in  higher  education  which  has 
swept  over  the  country  during  the  last  fifty  years. 
This  is  manifest  in  the  high  school  systems  which 
have  sprung  up  in  some  form  in  every  State  of 
the  Union;  in  the  rise  of  state  universities  and 
normal  and  agricultural  schools  almost  or  quite 
as  universally;  in  the  princely  gifts  bestowed  on 
educational  institutions ;  and  in  the  rapid  increase 
in  the  number  of  college  and  university  students. 
For  illustration.  Harvard  and  Yale  Colleges, 
which  were  fifty  years  ago  two  hundred  and  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years  old  respectively,  were  re- 
garded as  the  great  colleges  of  the  country. 
Both  were  plain,  humble  institutions,  with  inex- 

[26] 


EARLY  FAVORING  CONDITIONS 

pensive  buildings,  few  teachers,  and  courses  of 
study  limited  in  number ;  both  had  little  or  no  en- 
dowment, hardly  aspired  to  become  universities 
and  rarely,  if  ever,  graduated  more  than  a  hun- 
dred at  commencement.  Today  how  different! 
Both  are  full-fledged  universities  having  a  large 
number  of  most  beautiful  and  costly  buildings, 
counting  teachers  by  the  hundred,  giving  a  very 
large  number  of  courses  of  study,  and  sending  out 
many  hundreds  of  graduates  each  year.  Their 
endowments  are  reckoned  in  tens  of  millions. 
And  yet  these  are  now  only  two  out  of  a  score  or 
more  of  universities,  state  and  private,  that  are 
doing  the  same  type  of  work,  a  number  of  them 
graduating  annually  more  students  than  either  of 
these. 

This  change  is  out  of  all  proportion  to  the  in- 
crease in  population.  President  Gilman  says  of 
this  movement:  ''Few  persons  will  deny  the  as- 
sertion that  the  most  remarkable  changes  in  the 
last  half  century  are  due  to  the  growth  of  science 
and  the  spread  of  the  scientific  spirit."*  In  an- 
other connections  he  adds:  ''The  eiforts  of  schol- 
ars have  Ijoon  sustained  by  the  munificence  of 
donors,  and  more  than  one  institution  has  an  en- 
dowment larger  than  that  of  all  the  institutions 
that  were  in  existence  in  1850." 

Doubtless  Pomona  has  been  taken  up  and  borne 
along  on  the  crest  of  this  groat  tidal  wave. 

"  The  iMunchivQ  of  a  University.     Duiiiol  Coit  (iilninn. 

[27J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

In  the  second  place,  the  unparalleled  growth 
of  California,  and  especially  of  Southern  Califor- 
nia, has  been  a  factor  in  Pomona's  progress.  The 
increase  in  the  population  of  the  State  of  Cal- 
ifornia during  the  last  census  decade,  1900-1910, 
it  is  said,  has  never  been  equaled  in  so  new  a  com- 
munity in  the  history  of  our  country.  It  reached 
sixty  and  one-tenth  per  cent.  Los  Angeles 
County  gained  the  most  rapidly  of  any  county  in 
the  State.  The  city  of  Los  Angeles  gained  two 
hundred  and  eleven  per  cent.  The  southern  coun- 
ties gained  more  than  the  northern  counties.  The 
experience  of  the  previous  decade  was  very  sim- 
ilar, and  that  of  the  present  decade  so  far  is  much 
the  same. 

Evidently  the  College  has  in  some  measure  kept 
pace  with  this  marvelous  growth. 

Again,  the  great  distance  from  other  colleges 
and  universities  of  repute,  perhaps  two  or  even 
three  thousand  miles  from  the  parent's  Alma 
Mater,  and  five  hundred  miles  from  the  two  great 
universities  of  the  State,  has  beyond  a  question 
kept  many  students  in  Southern  California  and 
centered  attention  in  the  home  colleges. 

But  when  all  else  is  said,  it  remains  true  alike 
to  reason  and  to  history  that  a  college,  at  least  in 
its  early  years,  before  its  o^^^l  alumni  are  its  real 
supporters,  depends  chiefly  on  the  character  of  its 
immediately  surrounding  population.  It  in  this 
respect  is  like  an  orchard,  which  is  primarily  de- 

[28] 


EARLY  FAVORING  CONDITIONS 

pendent  on  the  soil  in  which  it  is  planted.  Water 
and  fertilizer  and  cultivation  may  add  greatly  to 
its  growth  and  productivity  for  a  time,  but  the 
ultimate  secret  of  success  is  in  the  home  soil. 
How  often  we  have  heard  representatives  of  insti- 
tutions of  higher  education  from  the  newer  States 
deplore  the  lack  of  appreciation  of  the  privileges 
offered,  and  the  long,  slow  process  of  educating 
the  people  who  should  form  their  constituency  to 
such  appreciation.  In  the  days  of  the  ''College 
of  California,"  afterwards  the  State  University, 
a  series  of  articles  was  written  for  the  avowed 
''purpose  of  awakening  an  interest  in  higher  ed- 
ucation"! One  of  these  articles  in  the  "Paci- 
fic," a  Christian  newspaper  published  in  San 
Francisco,  reads  in  part :  ' '  The  boys  of  the  state 
are  not  awake  to  their  opportunity.  When  it 
would  be  natural  to  find,  according  to  eastern 
standards  of  judgment,  ten  of  them  fitting  for  col- 
lege, we  hardly  find  one.  The  importance  of  a 
college  education  needs  to  be  held  up  in  every  new 
state.  Its  acquisition  should  be  made  honorable. 
It  is  so  in  the  most  enlightened  parts  of  our  coun- 
try."* This  was  written  before  Southern  Cal- 
ii'ornia  had  many  settlers. 

At  the  liMie  when  the  treaty  of  Guadalupe 
Hidalgo,  wliicli  gave  California  to  the  United 
States,  was  signed  with  Mexico  (January  24, 
1848),  tliere  were  few  inhabitants  in  California 

•  Collcgo  of  California.     Rov.  Kuuuinl  U.  WUloy,  D.D. 

[20] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

save  Indians.  In  1769  the  Spanish  planted  mis- 
sions at  San  Diego  and  Monterey,  which,  supple- 
mented later,  were  the  chief  centers  of  the  small 
Spanish  settlements,  mostly  near  the  coast.  Ra- 
diating from  these  centers  in  various  directions 
were  the  scattered  ranches  held  through  succes- 
sive generations  under  Spanish  grants.  In  the 
later  years  there  were  one  or  two  small  stations 
or  forts  in  the  interior  and  a  few  Americans  pas- 
tured their  flocks  and  herds  in  the  valleys  or 
among  the  mountains.  The  products  were  com- 
paratively slight  and  the  general  business  was  of 
little  moment.  The  forests,  the  agricultural  sec- 
tions, particularly  at  the  north,  and  San  Fran- 
cisco Harbor,  furnished  the  reasons  for  urging 
annexation.  The  wealth  of  treasure  hidden  in 
the  mountains  and  streams,  as  well  as  the  rich- 
ness of  her  arid  soil  at  the  south,  was  wholly 
unknown.  ''Nine  days  before  the  treaty  was 
signed,  known  to  very  few  and  to  neither  of  the 
representatives  who  signed  the  treaty,  gold  was 
discovered  at  Colomar,  forty-five  miles  northeast 
of  Sacramento  in  the  foothills  of  the  Sierras."* 
The  very  attempt  to  keep  it  secret  served  to  mag- 
nify the  story  of  the  discovery.  The  result  was 
electric  and  far-reaching.  ''Quickly  as  sail  and 
steam  could  bear  the  tidings  to  different  points 
of  the  compass,  adventurers  hastened  from 
China,  from  the  Sandwich  Islands,  from  Aus- 

*  ConstitutioiKil  History  of  the  United  Stcstes.    Von  Hoist. 

[30] 


EARLY  FAVORING  CONDITIONS 

tralia,  and  from  the  Pacific  Coast  between  Van- 
couver and  Valparaiso,  a  stream  of  population, 
swollen  beyond  all  precedent,  drained  the  drift- 
ing elements  from  Europe  to  mingle  in  a  current 
whose  American  element  predominated."* 

Rhodes  says  of  these  adventurers,  who  num- 
bered over  eighty  thousand  in  one  year :  ' '  There 
were  many  thoroughly  excellent  men  among 
the  emigrants,  but  the  percentage  of  unbri- 
dled adventurers  of  all  nations  was  frightfully 
large,  "t 

To  add  to  the  complications,  this  mass  of  law- 
less humanity  had  come  to  a  land  almost  literally 
without  laws,  and  itself  practically  constituted 
the  population.  The  Mexican  authority  had 
ceased,  and  it  required  time  to  make  laws,  as  well 
as  to  provide  for  their  execution  by  the  new 
authority.  Meanwhile  every  man  was  a  law 
unto  himself,  giving  free  rein  to  the  worst  lusts 
and  passions  of  humanity.  The  consequences 
were  most  disastrous  in  city,  town  and  country — 
wherever  there  was  anything  to  arouse  the  cupid- 
ity or  lusts  of  men.  The  familiar  story  of  the 
'* Vigilance  Committee"  of  San  Francisco  is  an 
opitomo  of  the  dosporato  struggle  wliich  prevailed 
over  tin;  ciiliro  rc^giou  wlicrc^  lh(;  adventurers 
roair)(!(l  and  settled.  Ilai)pily  tli(M-e  were  enougli 
of  llie  Ixitter  sort  of  citizens  to  secure  a  constitu- 

•  Ilinlory  of   Ihi:   lliiiltul  Sldtrs.     Hclioulor. 
\  Hiulury  of  the   United  Slalrn.      lUiodoH. 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

tion,  adopt  it,  and  frame  laws  with  as  little  delay- 
as  possible.  It  required  years,  however,  to  bring 
into  subjection  to  the  demands  of  civilization 
these  men  and  women  who  once  had  tasted  the 
liberty  of  lawlessness.  In  time  the  law-abiding 
element,  assisted  by  emigrants  of  a  better  sort, 
outnumbered  and  absorbed  for  the  most  part 
these  undesirable  citizens.  Nevertheless  the  li- 
cense had  time  to  crystallize  into  custom,  if  not 
law,  and  to  mark  distinctly  if  not  to  characterize 
many  a  community. 

The  profitable  gold-bearing  regions  were  not 
supposed  to  reach  below  the  Tehachepi.  In  fact, 
the  Southland  then  presented  few  attractions  to 
adventurers  or  settlers  of  any  kind.  It  was 
thought  to  be  given  over  to  barren  mountains 
and  deserts,  with  some  valleys  productive  for  a 
few  months,  but  dried  up  the  greater  part  of  the 
year.  The  possibilities  of  the  soil  were  little 
understood. 

Nearly  a  generation  passed  away  before  the 
advantages  of  the  South  first  received  attention, 
and  two  generations  before  the  desert  began  to 
reveal  its  riches.  In  1880  the  city  of  Los  An- 
geles had  only  about  eleven  thousand  inhabitants, 
most  of  whom  spoke  the  Spanish  language.  The 
Congregationalists  then  had  but  five  churches  in 
this  entire  region — one  each  at  Los  Angeles,  San 
Bernardino,  Riverside,  Santa  Barbara  and  Lu- 
gonia.    Now  they  have  one  hundred  and  thirty. 

[32] 


EARLY  FAVORING  CONDITIONS 

And  this  denomination  is  by  no  means  the  most 
numerous. 

Immigration  to  this  part  of  the  State,  as  has 
been  seen,  about  that  time  began  to  increase. 
Interest  in  Southern  California,  too,  became 
widespread  over  the  country,  and  reached  into 
Canada  and  other  British  possessions.  It 
brought  few  from  foreign  nations  other  than 
British  subjects,  and  those  who  came  were  largely 
of  the  educated  and  thrifty  sort.  Among  the 
hosts  from  various  parts  of  the  country  many 
were  sight-seers,  a  few  of  whom  became  settlers ; 
some  were  invalids,  or  came  with  invalids  for 
health  considerations,  but  among  those  seekers 
for  health  by  far  the  greater  part  were  looking 
for  homes,  lured  by  the  climate  and  the  soil.  An 
unusual  number  of  these  would-be  settlers  had 
more  or  less  of  a  banlt  account. 

Much  money  was  invested,  wisely  and  unwisely, 
in  town  lots  and  in  innumerable  schemes.  A  very 
large  number  invested  in  lands — five,  ten,  twenty 
acres — to  be  set  out  to  orchards  or  devoted  to 
other  agricultural  products,  as  sources  of  income. 
A  numl)er  of  families  frequently  came  from  the 
same  region  and  formed  lilth;  colonics.  Fi'ionds 
followcid  and  Joined  tliem,  tluis  giving  a  distinct 
cliaract(-'r  to  the  settlements.  In  some  cities  or 
towns  there  might  bo  several  groups  of  settlers 
froin  Die  H,'ini(!  or  froin  (lilTcrciit  Slates.  So  lai'go 
u  number  of  tli('S(!  colonists  \V(!r(!  N(!\v  l<]nglaiKl- 

L  .'{^  ] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ers  by  birtli  or  descent,  or  at  least  in  tliought  and 
feeling,  as  fairly  to  mark  churches,  communities 
and  even  cities.  The  numbers  in  these  various 
colonies,  their  homogeneity  and  the  community 
of  interests  have  led  from  time  to  time  to  the 
formation  of  organizations  in  different  parts  of 
Southern  California  of  the  inhabitants  who  had 
come  from  the  same  region;  sometimes  a  city  or 
a  county;  oftener  a  State;  rarely  a  still  larger 
area. 

The  extent  of  these  organizations  is  surpris- 
ing. "The  Federated  States  Home"  at  present 
has  an  office  in  Los  Angeles  and  a  general  secre- 
tary, who  reports  attendance  on  two  hundred 
gatherings  of  these  various  organizations  the 
past  year.  Every  State  in  the  Union  is  now  rep- 
resented in  the  general  organization.  In  one  case, 
hardly  exceptional,  colonists  from  a  county  in 
Michigan  have  yearly  gatherings  of  between 
sixty  and  seventy  persons.  The  New  England 
dinners  at  San  Diego  seat  two  or  three  hundred. 
At  the  last  Iowa  gathering  the  press  reported 
thirty  thousand  present.  The  Iowa  Association 
claims  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand 
members.  Probably  this  is  the  largest,  although 
there  are  several  other  large  ones.  Once  or  twice 
a  year  each  organization  has  its  own  gathering 
in  the  form  of  a  banquet  or  a  basket  picnic,  with 
a  regular  program  as  well  as  general  social  en- 
joyment.    These  occasions  tend  to  bind  the  mem- 

[34] 


EARLY  FAVORING  CONDITIONS 

bers  closer  together,  to  secure  greater  unity  here 
at  home  and  to  increase  the  drawing  power  from 
the  older  to  the  newer  State. 

One  prominent  feature  of  this  new  population 
is  the  number  of  college-bred  men  and  women  it 
embraces.  One  or  two  facts  are  suggestive  on 
this  point.  A  Yale  graduate,  going  to  and  from 
his  orchard  seven  miles  distant,  among  ranches 
most  of  the  way,  counted  in  passing,  not  includ- 
ing local  teachers,  one  graduate  of  Princeton,  two 
of  Yale,  two  of  Amherst,  one  of  Williams,  one  of 
Wisconsin  University,  and  two  of  Pomona,  all  of 
whom  had  homes  on  these  ranches.  One  only  of 
the  number  was  a  woman.  How  many  more 
women  graduates  might  have  been  counted  he  did 
not  know.  There  is  abundant  reason  to  believe 
that  this  case  is  not  exceptional.  The  number  of 
educated  men  is  noticeable  in  all  the  fruit  asso- 
ciations, farmers'  and  horticultural  clubs,  and 
the  numerous  college  and  university  clubs.  At 
one  of  the  annual  banquets  of  the  Pomona  Col- 
l(!go  alumni,  to  which  graduates  of  other  colleges 
present  at  commencement  were  invited  (as  was 
common  the  first  few  years),  it  was  found  that 
forty-eight  colleges  and  institutes  wore  repre- 
sented. The  evening  before  President  Blaisdell 
was  inaugurated  a  banquet  was  given  to  him,  to- 
gether with  President  Katon  of  Beloit  and  Presi- 
dent Garfield  of  Williams,  at  the  Olaremont  Inn. 
It  was  a  pay  banquet,  for  college  graduates,  and 

[35] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

there  were  few  if  any  complimentary  guests  be- 
sides the  three  presidents.  The  alumni  of  the 
three  institutions  sent  out  their  own  invitations. 
Two  hundred  and  fifty  sat  down  at  the  tables. 
With  a  large  number  of  smaller  delegations, 
Yale,  Mt.  Holyoke  and  Oberlin  were  each  repre- 
sented by  from  ten  to  twenty  or  more  alumni, 
seated  at  the  same  table,  while  others  represented 
Williams,  as  well  as  Beloit  and  Pomona.  Sev- 
eral foreign  countries  were  also  represented.  To 
conmiunities  having  so  many  alumni,  the  college 
is  as  much  a  necessity  as  the  home. 

Another  characteristic  of  this  constituency, 
already  referred  to  but  needing  emphasis,  is  its 
interest  in  Christian  education.  These  gradu- 
ates are  for  the  most  part  from  Christian  institu- 
tions. They  are  in  full  sympathy  with  Christian 
education.  This  fact,  realized  in  connection  with 
a  vision  of  the  future  of  the  Pacific  Coast,  with 
the  great  mass  of  humanity  which,  with  its  com- 
merce, is  to  pass  back  and  forth  through  these 
gateways,  gives  an  immensely  added  importance 
to  a  region  so  rich  in  promise  of  itself  as  South- 
ern California.  Here  is  the  constituency  that  is 
to  become  a  world  power  in  the  interests  of  Chris- 
tian civilization. 

President  Gilman  early  voiced  these  thoughts : 
''The  next  twenty-five  years  will  certainly  show 
vast  influences  for  good  or  evil  over  all  eastern 
countries, .proceeding  from  California,    Unquea- 

[3^6] 


EAELY  FAVORING  CONDITIONS 

tionably  the  national  government  of  the  future 
will  send  out  as  its  representatives  in  Asia  men 
who  have  dwelt  on  these  shores.  Unquestionably 
the  minor  offices  of  government  will  be  filled  with 
young  men  going  out  from  this  region.  Your 
ships  are  to  transport  not  only  merchandise  but 
ideas.  Your  influences  of  every  sort  are  to  be 
felt  in  these  far  distant  countries,  first  in  Hawaii, 
then  in  the  Philippines,  and  afterwards  in  Japan 
and  China."* 

Begotten  by  the  Congregationalists,  and  the 
only  college  of  that  fellowship  in  the  State,  Po- 
mona naturally  and  historically  should  include  in 
its  constituency  the  Congregationalists  of  the 
whole  of  California.  And  in  a  general  way  it  is 
so  considered.  But  this  relation  is  modified  by 
the  widely  different  conditions  of  early  settle- 
ment; by  the  history  of  the  College  of  California 
and  its  connection  with  the  University  of  Cali- 
fornia, by  the  Congregational  Theological  Semi- 
nary connected  with  the  University  of  California, 
and  by  distance  in  a  State  nine  hundred  miles 
long. 

The  mor(!  immediate  local  constituency  is  found 
in  Southern  California.  It  never  has  been  lim- 
ited to  the  CongregiitionaliHts,  and  is  l)ocoming 
loss  and  \o.hh  distinctively  Congregational.  A 
l)(;tt(;r  constituency  a  college  n(n'er  had;  and  it  is 
growing   still    better   and   more   effective    every 

"  'J'hi;   I.aunc.hiiKj   of  a   l/nivrrsity.      Daniel    Coit   (iiliiwin. 

[  .'57  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

year.  It  always  has  been  sympathetic,  self-sac- 
rificing and  loyal  to  a  marked  degree.  Early  in 
her  history  Pomona  so  endeared  herself  to  the 
hearts  of  her  friends  as  to  dominate  selfish  con- 
siderations, whether  pecuniary  or  sectarian.  In 
the  early  and  middle  nineties,  when  mortgages 
were  well-nigh  universal  in  this  part  of  the  State 
and  the  most  rigid  economy  was  a  necessity  for 
all,  Pomona's  appeals  met  with  heroic  response. 
Prosperous  days  have  developed  generosity  in 
full  measure.  AVere  present  demands  no  greater 
than  those  made  on  like  institutions  fifty  years 
ago,  Pomona  would  be  well  provided  for.  In  a 
new  country,  where  everything  must  be  new,  and 
where  rapid  growth  with  high  ideals  brings  all 
the  needs  at  once,  time  is  necessary  to  enable 
even  the  most  loyal  and  prosperous  constituency 
to  meet  the  exacting  demands  of  an  up-to-date 
college. 


[38] 


CHAPTER  IV 

POMONA  IDEALS 

Two  colleges  are  often  spoken  of  as  **just 
alike,"  ''as  nearly  alike  as  two  peas,"  and  yet 
when  one  studies  them  closely  and  learns  to  know 
them  intimately,  they  are  found  to  differ  quite 
as  much  as  two  human  personalities.  Not  only 
is  the  personnel  of  the  faculty  different,  but  as 
a  whole  they  emphasize  different  phases  of  work. 
They  have  different  ideals.  It  is  these  ideals  that 
draw  students  and  that  give  them  character,  that 
make  up  their  personality,  that  cause  them  to  dif- 
fer the  one  from  the  other.  One  does  not  really 
know  a  college  until  he  thoroughly  understands 
its  ideals  and  the  emphasis  put  upon  particular 
ideals.  Here  is  where  colleges  fail:  some  in  not 
having  definite  ideals,  some  in  not  emphasizing 
the  right  ones.  Hence  it  is  that  certain  colleges 
have  largo  and  commanding  success,  right  along- 
side those  which  fail,  because  the  former  cherish 
and  empliasizo  the  ideals  which  appeal  to  tliat 
which  is  highest  and  nol)lest  in  men,  those  ideals 
wliich  have  been  wroiiglit  out  of  the  richest  and 
loftiest  experioncoH  of  Immnnity.  ^FIk'  popularity 
of  HUfli  colleges  is  gi'oiinded  ill  worlhiiiess. 

In  general  the  ideals  of  I'onionu  were  foruietl 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

early,  and  time  and  experience  have  served  only 
to  strengthen  them.  The  ''New  England  type'* 
referred  to  by  the  Education  Committee  has  been 
in  most  ways  very  closely  followed.  Some  de- 
l^artures,  more  or  less  important,  from  the  origi- 
nal type  have  taken  place  back  in  New  England  as 
well  as  here.  College  questions  were  widely  dis- 
cussed throughout  Southern  California  for  a  long 
time  before  the  organization  of  Pomona,  and 
from  time  to  time  have  been  in  the  limelight  since. 
Nor  have  these  discussions  been  confined  to  edu- 
cation committees  and  Boards  of  Trustees.  The 
general  public  has  been  interested  and  has  taken 
a  lively  part  in  them.  These  educational  ques- 
tions are  recognized  as  vital  to  the  public  weal. 
For  months  at  a  time,  and  it  might  almost  be 
said  for  years,  before  and  after  the  organization 
of  the  College,  the  college  idea  was  in  the  air 
amongst  Congregationalists,  and  was  the  absorb- 
ing topic  of  conversation.  It  was  discussed  on 
the  street,  in  the  reception  room,  at  the  festive 
board.  Men  generally  were  informed  and  had 
ideas  of  their  own.  The  first  circular  setting 
forth  the  beginning  of  instruction  at  Pomona  in- 
cidentally presents  the  commonly  accepted  con- 
clusions at  the  time.  It  states :  ' '  The  design  of 
the  College  is  to  secure  to  both  sexes,  under  the 
most  favorable  circumstances,  as  good  instruc- 
tion as  can  be  obtained  in  any  part  of  the  coun- 
try, in  a  distinctively  Christian  but  not  sectarian 

[40] 


POMONA  IDEALS 

spirit,  and  to  afford  special  advantages  to  stu- 
dents of  small  means." 

Here  are  emphasized  scholarship,  moral  and 
religious  training,  provision  for  students  without 
money,  coeducation,  and  the  rural  college.  While 
each  of  these  ideals  has  been  discussed  and  redis- 
cussed,  every  one  is  held  even  more  firmly  today 
than  at  that  early  time. 

Perhaps  no  ideal  has  been  tested  more  severely 
than  the  maintenance  of  a  high  grade  of  scholar- 
ship. The  common  practice  of  waiving  the 
standards  for  pecuniary  reasons,  or  out  of  friend- 
ship, or  because  of  sympathy  with  the  unfortu- 
nate applicant,  is  not  easily  rejected,  especially  in 
a  young  institution  struggling  for  life.  If  the  de- 
cision is  left  to  one  man,  not  often  does  that  one 
wholly  resist  the  temptation  to  leniency.  But 
when  the  Board  of  Trustees,  the  faculty  and  the 
constituency  all  insistently  demand  uniformity  of 
standard,  and  the  record  of  applicant  and  gradu- 
ate is  kept  complete,  the  way  is  comparatively 
easy.  In  a  letter  written  in  the  early  days 
and  suggesting  Pomona's  standing,  an  appli- 
cant for  admission  to  the  college  grade  says: 
''I  sliould  1)0  ashamed  to  graduate  in  an  institu- 
tion maintaining  so  low  grades  as  tlu*  one  where 
I  have  boon  fitting  for  college."  AVhih'  there 
have  been  many  changes  of  recjuirenients  for  ad- 
mission and  for  work  after  a(hnissi()n  al  l^oniona, 
as  in  all  iirst-claHH  colleges  and  universities  dur- 

I  11  I 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ing  this  period,  and  while  Pomona's  courses  are 
not  identical  with  those  of  all  other  institutions, 
from  first  to  last  it  has  been  the  intention  to  have 
the  courses  of  study  not  necessarily  equal  in 
number,  but  of  such  a  character  as  to  afford 
equal  mental  training  with  those  in  the  very  best 
institutions.  It  has  been  said  that  Pomona  owes 
much  of  its  success  to  its  standards,  and  to  its 
insistence  on  its  standards.  Its  policy  has  been 
never  to  add  a  course  of  study  until  it  could  be 
given  well. 

As  to  the  Christian  ideal,  that  has  been  funda- 
mental. Without  that,  it  has  been  urged,  there  is 
no  good  reason  for  the  being  of  Pomona.  The 
first  professorship  endowed  was  that  pertaining 
to  Biblical  study.  Not  only  have  daily  devotional 
services  been  required  and  organizations  helpful 
to  the  Christian  life  been  sustained,  but  great 
pains  have  been  taken,  without  encroaching  too 
much  on  the  students'  time,  to  introduce  the  most 
inspiring  and  effective  influences  the  Church  and 
the  world  can  give.  At  the  same  time  great  care 
has  been  used  to  keep  free  from  sectarian  ten- 
dencies, emphasizing  rather  the  broader,  deeper, 
richer  phases  of  truth  which  without  offense  ap- 
peal alike  to  all  Christians. 

It  is  not  easy  to  see  how  Pomona  could  have 
shown  more  clearly  her  freedom  from  narrow 
sectarianism  than  by  her  repeated  efforts  to 
bring  together  into  one  institution  two  or  more  of 

[42] 


POMONA  IDEALS 

the  Christian  forces  of  Southern  California.  She 
is  not  afraid  of  contamination  from  varying 
Christian  views  of  truth  nor  unwilling  to  share 
her  privileges  with  those  who  are  prepared  to  use 
them.  She  is  more  solicitous  for  that  profounder 
fellowship  which  tends  to  bring  her  students  into 
the  closest  and  most  sympathetic  relations  with 
moral  and  spiritual  verities. 

The  idea  of  coeducation  has  been  discussed  lit- 
tle, but  rather  assumed.  Its  rapid  growth  in  the 
last  fifty  years,  the  development  of  state  univer- 
sities, and  the  more  and  more  insistent  demand 
of  women  for  equal  rights  and  privileges — all 
these,  combined  with  the  ideal  of  the  family  as 
the  supreme  type  of  the  natural  development  of 
the  sexes,  have  seemed  final  in  the  essential  fact 
of  coeducation.  Just  how  far  young  men  and 
young  women  should  pursue  the  same  studies, 
and  just  what  adaptations  to  make  in  the  class 
and  lecture  rooms,  on  the  athletic  field  and  in  so- 
cial relations,  are  not  settled,  and  must  be  dis- 
cussed and  worked  out.  The  advantages  of 
coeducation  during  the  average  college  age  are 
many  and  great,  and  become  more  manifest  by 
(;xperi(!nc(».  It  would  seem  to  b(?  an  important 
Kt(!p  in  tlie  process  of  evolution.  The  disadvan- 
tag(!H  apfx^ar  to  be  theoretical,  and  rather  to  be- 
long to  an  (;arly  stage  of  advancing  civilization 
tlwin  to  b(!  iiilicfcrit. 

The  making  ol"  ample  j)rovision  for  lliosc  willi 

[  43  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

limited  financial  resources  also  is  fundamental. 
Next  to  the  provision  for  Christian  training  Dr. 
Pearsons  and  many  of  the  large  givers  have  re- 
garded this  as  supreme  among  the  ideals  of  the 
College.  Here  is  one  great  reason  for  the  ex- 
istence of  so  many  smaller  colleges  scattered  all 
over  the  country :  they  enable  more  young  people 
to  avail  themselves  of  college  advantages  than 
could  secure  them  in  institutions  far  from  home. 
Especially  in  these  daj^s,  when  so  much  emphasis 
is  laid  on  class  distinction,  it  is  felt  that  in  the 
interests  of  democracy,  no  boy  or  girl  of  fair  abil- 
ity who  earnestly  desires  a  college  education 
should  be  deterred  by  poverty.  The  opportuni- 
ties of  life,  at  least,  should  be  open  to  all  who  are 
willing  to  avail  themselves  of  them.  This  ques- 
tion comes  up  to  the  College  with  every  call  for 
more  money.  To  raise  the  price  of  tuition  is  per- 
haps an  easy  way  to  increase  the  income.  But 
what  will  be  the  effect  on  the  students  of  small 
means?  Will  they  be  shut  out?  Only  as  schol- 
arship funds  are  provided  for  those  in  need  are 
the  majority  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  willing  to 
allow  increase  of  tuition  fees.  With  a  sufficient 
number  of  free  scholarships,  the  price  of  tuition 
is  simply  a  matter  of  policy.  If  persons  are  kept 
from  a  college  education  by  increased  cost  of  tui- 
tion, a  sacred  principle  is  violated. 

With  hardly  more  than  a  single  notable  excep- 
tion, the  friends  of  Pomona  have  felt  that  the 

[44] 


POMONA  IDEALS 


ideal  college  is  the  rural  college.  Here  are  "the 
most  favorable  circumstances."  During  the  col- 
lege period  students  should  be  free  from  the  dis- 
tractions and  unavoidable  dissipations  of  the 
larger  city  and  should  enjoy  the  quiet,  the  free- 
dom, the  healthfulness  and  the  inspiration  of  na- 
ture, in  all  the  richness  and  fullness  of  variety 
possible.  Whether  we  consider  study  or  recrea- 
tion, utility  or  good  healthy  enjoyment,  we  find 
that  the  comparison  of  the  urban  and  the  rural 
college  is  greatly  in  favor  of  the  latter.  More- 
over, in  the  city  the  homes  of  the  students  largely 
take  the  place  of  the  college  dormitories,  where 
experience  has  proved  that  by  far  the  larger  and 
richer  advantages  of  college  life  may  be  gained. 
The  strong  reasons  why  some  classes  of  gradu- 
ate students  should  be  in  contact  with  city  en- 
vironments are  believed  not  to  pertain  to  the 
academic  life.  The  question  of  union  with  other 
colleges  has  brought  this  matter  to  the  forefront, 
and  it  has  been  discussed  in  all  its  phases;  hence 
it  may  be  stated  with  positiveness  that  the  friends 
of  Pomona  unanimously  and  heartily  believe  in 
the  rural  college. 

The  site  for  tlic  College  was  selected  with  the 
purpose  of  building  up  a  distinct  college  town. 
Much  of  time  and  thought  on  the  part  of  the  col- 
lege authorities  has  been  given  to  the  building  up 
of  Claremont  as  a  college  town  ralhor  lli.-m  as  a 
business  ccntcir.    Thus  far  the  college  iiileresls 

.[  45] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

have  predominated.  It  is  with  no  little  appre- 
hension that  some  of  the  best  friends  of  the  Col- 
lege see  the  growing  importance  of  the  fruit 
interests  centering  in  Claremont. 

The  purpose  formed  at  the  beginning  was  to 
establish  a  purely  cultural  college,  not  a  univer- 
sity either  in  name  or  in  reality.  Great  pressure 
has  at  times  been  exerted  to  make  it  more  or  less 
polytechnic,  giving  disproportionate  prominence 
to  one  department  or  another,  to  ''make  it  more 
practical,  better  adapted  to  its  surroundings." 
But  in  the  college  councils  there  has  been  no  dis- 
position to  deviate  from  the  original  purpose. 
So  far  was  this  unwillingness  to  assume  to  do 
more  than  simple  college  work  carried,  that  up 
to  the  issuance  of  the  Triennial  Register  in  1911 
only  one  M.  A.  degree  had  been  given,  and  that 
after  two  years  of  graduate  study.  Only  one 
honorary  degree  has  so  far  (1913)  been  con- 
ferred. The  secondary  degree  is  given  now  after 
not  less  than  one  year 's  study  under  the  direction 
of  the  faculty,  and  the  acceptance  of  a  thesis  duly 
prepared  for  the  occasion. 

Not  a  little  of  Pomona's  individuality  must  be 
attributed  to  the  cooperation  which  was  early  ne- 
cessitated by  certain  conditions,  and  has  been 
maintained  in  spite  of  adverse  influences,  if  not 
because  of  them.  There  has  been  no  dominating 
personality  in  her  counsels  for  any  length  of  time. 
No  scope  has  been  allowed  for  the  ascendancy  of 

[46] 


POMONA  IDEALS 

personal  ambition.  In  matters  of  general  pol- 
icy the  interests  and  rights  of  all  concerned  have 
been  recognized  and  sedulously  guarded.  Trus- 
tees, faculty,  students  and  friends  are  included. 
Their  rights  have  been  recognized  in  greater 
or  less  degree  in  minor  matters  as  well.  In 
fact,  the  whole  structure  of  the  College  has  been 
cooperative.  There  has  grown  up  thus  a  com- 
posite personality  of  distinctive  strength  and 
coloring. 

It  was  perfectly  natural  for  the  College  and 
community  in  unison  to  plan  and  to  put  on  the 
stage  on  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary,  in  June, 
1913,  an  historical  pageant.  The  spirit  of  coop- 
eration reaches  out  into  the  community.  The 
College  and  town  are  accustomed  to  cooperate. 
In  the  same  spirit  trustees,  faculty  and  students, 
with  the  citizens,  all  combined  to  secure  the  re- 
markal)le  success  of  the  pageant.  It  was  a  trib- 
ute to  the  spirit  of  cooperation. 

Pomona  never  has  been  contemplating  receiv- 
ing and  training,  under  any  conditions,  those  mor- 
ally or  intellectually  deficient,  nor  the  selecting 
of  exceptional  scholars  and  training  them  for  any 
parliciihir  profession  or  professions.  She  has 
ui)f)eal('(l  rather  to  the  average  student  with  a 
vi(!W  to  d('V(!]()ping  men  and  women  of  largo  re- 
BOurcoH  in  thernH(?lveH — leaders.  Christian  leaders, 
fitted  to  ])e  uHcf'ul  to  their  gciu^-aliou — and  with 
u  view  to  hiying  tiie  fouiKhilions  l)i(>ad  and  deep 

[47] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

for  professional  studies  for  such  as  wish  to  pur- 
sue them. 

President  Oilman  has  emphasized  this  thought 
in  a  passage  quite  worth  quoting:  **It  is  neither 
for  genius  nor  for  the  dunce,  but  for  the  great 
middle  class  possessing  ordinary  talents,  that  we 
build  our  colleges;  and  it  can  be  proved  beyond 
the  shadow  of  a  doubt  that  for  them  the  oppor- 
tunities afforded  by  libraries,  teachers,  com- 
panionship and  the  systematic  recurrence  of 
intellectual  tasks  are  most  efficient  means  of  intel- 
lectual culture.  Mental  discipline  may  indeed  be 
acquired  in  other  ways ;  the  love  of  letters  is  not 
implanted  by  a  college;  the  study  of  nature  may 
be  pursued  alone  in  the  open  air;  but  given  to 
each  one  in  a  group  of  a  hundred  youths  a  cer- 
tain amount  of  talent,  more  than  mediocrity  and 
less  than  genius — that  is  to  say,  the  average  abil- 
ity of  a  boy  or  girl  in  our  high  schools  and  acad- 
emies— and  it  will  happen  in  nine  cases  out  of 
ten  that  those  who  go  to  college  surpass  others 
during  the  course  of  life,  in  influence,  in  learning, 
in  the  power  to  do  good,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of 
books,  nature  and  art.  Mental  powers  may  be 
developed  in  other  places — the  Mechanics  Insti- 
tute, the  Mercantile  Library,  the  winter  Lyceum, 
the  private  study,  the  gatherings  of  young  men 
in  the  haunts  of  business  and  in  the  walks  of  civil 
life;  but  not  so  easily  nor  so  systematically,  nor 
so  thoroughly,  nor  so  auspiciously,  nor  so  pleas- 

[48] 


POMONA  IDEALS 

antly.  With  all  their  defects,  colleges  are  the 
best  agencies  the  world  has  ever  discovered  for 
the  training  of  the  intellectual  forces  of  youth."* 

There  has  been  some  discussion  of  the  question 
of  limiting  the  number  of  students  to  be  received 
at  Pomona  College,  but  so  far  there  is  a  wide  dif- 
ference as  to  the  ideal  number.  Moreover,  there 
is  a  strong  feeling  that  in  the  midst  of  the  won- 
derful development  of  Southern  California  no 
man  can  tell  just  what  the  future  may  demand. 
Evidently  the  time  has  not  come  for  fixing  any 
limit.     Pomona  awaits  developments. 

Another  tendency  has  been  growing  until  it 
may  be  said  to  be  a  cherished  ideal;  namely,  the 
maintenance  and  protection  of  the  dignity  and 
essential  honor  of  the  College.  If  there  is  a 
seeming  conflict  between  individual  and  college 
interests,  the  college  interests  must  prevail.  The 
College  must  not  be  sacrificed  to  individual  in- 
terests. Pomona  has  no  deadheads  in  any  de- 
partment, from  highest  to  lowest.  No  one  is 
making  a  profit  out  of  the  College.  Every  de- 
partment must  be  carried  on  in  a  manner  worthy 
of  the  College,  worthy  of  the  college  authorities, 
worthy  of  its  friends.  Confidence  must  be  as- 
sured in  the  present  and  in  the  future,  at  what- 
(;ver  cost,  licgun  Vjy  faitli,  maintained  so  far  by 
f'aitli,  its  future  is  assured  ])y  faith.  Dr.  Horace 
I'iihIiiusII,  wliile  in  the  service  of  the  College  of 

•  Tho  Launching  of  a  Vnivcrsity. 

[49] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

California,  put  tliis  tliouglit  in  his  own  unique 
way,  in  writing  on  behalf  of  the  board  of  trustees : 
* '  They  are  not  unadvised  of  the  immense  expendi- 
ture necessary  to  create  such  an  institution,  or  the 
very  considerable  sum  necessary  to  create  a  be- 
ginning, that  can  have  the  promise  of  growth  so 
expanded.  At  the  same  time  they  also  under- 
stand that  the  true  way  to  carry  a  project  often  is 
to  make  it  difficult,  and  not  to  cheapen  it  down  be- 
low enthusiasm,  where  it  is  feasible  to  the  calcu- 
lation of  mere  selfishness  or  convenience.  How 
often  is  a  thing  lost  by  making  it  virtually  noth- 
ing in  order  to  get  it  done.  They  regard  the 
people  of  California  as  having  a  more  generous 
temperament,  preferring  if  they  do  anything  to 
have  it  something  worthy  of  them  and  their  pub- 
lic name.  "VVe  believe  too  that  after  such  an  in- 
stitution as  we  contemplate  is  fairly  started  and 
becomes  a  cherished  ornament  of  the  state,  men 
of  wealth  who  wish  to  become  benefactors  will 
take  it  on  them  as  volunteers  to  bestow  additional 
endo^vment,  some  w^hile  living  and  others  by  their 
wills,  and  that  in  this  manner  it  will  be  fully 
endowed. ' ' 

Another  ideal  has  been  much  in  the  minds  and 
hearts  of  those  who  have  sacrificed  most  for  Po- 
mona; namely,  to  have  a  part  in  that  great  work 
outlined  anonymously  by  a  writer  in  the  ''Inde- 
pendent" fifty  years  ago.  ''The  business  of  this 
new  state  of  California,  as  it  may  more  or  less 

[50] 


POMONA  IDEALS 

affect  six  hundred  million  souls  across  the  Pa- 
cific, should  be  guided  by  holy  hands,  that  the 
light  of  Christianity  may  grow  in  the  wake  of 
trade.  The  Chinese  lose  their  night  only  by  the 
sun  which  rolls  up  from  the  American  shore  of 
the  Pacific.  The  shaping  of  this  whole  thing  will 
be  by  that  school  in  California  which  shall  best 
furnish  the  pulpit,  the  bar,  the  medical  and  the 
teacher's  profession  in  a  shorter  time  and  with 
greater  facility  than  it  could  be  done  in  any  other 
state  of  the  Union."* 

*  College  of  California.     Dr.  S.  H.  Willey. 


[31.1 


CHAPTER  V 

THE  FIRST  TRUSTEES 
The  office  of  college  trustee  is  not  primarily  one 
of  honor,  or  of  financial  helpfulness,  but  one  of 
service.  No  self-respecting  institution  elects  a 
man  to  that  office  simply  because  he  has  money, 
even  though  he  be  generous  with  his  money, 
or  because  his  name  will  lend  to  it  distinction. 
Wliat  the  college  wants  in  its  board  of  trustees  is 
a  working  force.  While  it  is  assumed  that  men 
who  have  accumulated  money  honestly  possess 
good  judgment  and  administrative  ability,  many 
others  who  do  not  acquire  wealth  have  these 
essential  qualities.  It  is  the  combined  judgment 
and  activity  of  such  men,  who  also  have  interest 
enough  in  the  work  to  give  time  and  thought  to  it, 
that  makes  a  college  strong.  To  accept  the  office 
of  trustee  is  to  commit  oneself  to  the  college  inter- 
ests. This  commitment,  together  with  its  influ- 
ence, is  cumulative.  The  longer  the  men  thus 
committed  continue  in  the  office,  the  more  valuable 
they  become  and  the  more  heavily  the  responsi- 
bility of  the  college  rests  on  them.  They  at 
length  may  become  identified  with  it  in  their  ovm 
minds  and  in  the  minds  of  others.  It  is  their 
college. 

[52] 


THE  FIRST  TRUSTEES 

The  first  trustees  lay  the  foundation  and  form 
the  policy  of  the  institution,  according  to  con- 
ditions at  the  time.  Conditions  change,  and  in 
some  ways  the  policy  may  change.  Happy  is 
that  institution  whose  first  trustees  are  large 
enough  to  take  into  consideration  changed  con- 
ditions, and  to  adapt  the  policy  to  the  command- 
ing needs. 

In  this  respect  Pomona  has  been  most  fortu- 
nate. While  its  first  trustees  were  strong  in 
their  convictions  and  pronounced  in  their  policies, 
and  some  of  them  are  active  to  the  present  day, 
there  have  been  no  obstructionists  among  them. 
Conservative  in  the  best  sense,  they  have  been 
ready  to  shape  the  policy  to  the  new  conditions 
and  to  take  the  lead  in  forward  movements. 
They  have  been  men  of  vision,  men  of  faith,  men 
of  action,  whose  lives  it  is  a  pleasure  and  profit 
to  study. 

By  right  Rev.  James  T.  Ford  should  have  the 
first  place  in  the  enumeration  of  the  first  Board 
of  Trusi(!Os  of  Pomona  College.  The  better  Mr. 
Ford  is  known,  the  stronger  the  desire  to  learn 
ininui(?ly  of  his  personality  and  his  life  woi-k. 
Jle  was  born  at  Al>ington,  Massachusetts,  Sep- 
tember 13,  1827,  and  was  graduated  at  Williams 
(Jollege  and  Andovcr  Theological  Seminary.  His 
first  work  was  of  a  missionary  character  in  Yor- 
iiiont.     Tluaice    li(i    W((nt    to    (-iiarlcston,    South 

[  r>:J  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Carolina,  and  entered  upon  the  pastorate  of 
Phanouth  Church,  which  was  attended  by  the 
colored  students  of  Avery  Institute.  As  early  as 
1875  he  assumed  the  pastorate  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church  of  San  Bernardino.  Subse- 
quently he  became  the  General  Missionary,  and 
finally  Home  Missionary  Superintendent  of 
Southern  California.  His  native  good  sense, 
breadth  of  view,  wise  progressiveness  and  pre- 
vious activities  peculiarly  fitted  him  to  help 
inaugurate  and  foster  such  a  work  as  Pomona 
College.  His  wife,  Sarah  Pritchard  Bancroft,  of 
East  Windsor  Hill,  Connecticut,  where  Mr.  Ford 
spent  two  years  in  theological  study,  was  a  con- 
genial helper,  and  they  worked  together  with  rare 
unity  and  zest. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ford  adopted  the  College  at  its 
beginning.  Their  home  was  a  college  home,  for 
officers,  teachers,  students.  Mrs.  Ford  inlierited 
a  little  money,  and  together  they  saved  a  little. 
Frugal  but  comfortable  livers,  they  never  forgot 
their  stewardship.  In  the  final  disposition  of  their 
surplus,  they  did  not  wait  for  last  wills  and  testa- 
ments, to  be  quarrelled  over  and  probably  never 
carried  out,  but  themselves  saw  their  gifts  be- 
stowed where  they  wished  them  to  be,  and  doing 
the  work  they  wished  them  to  do,  while  they  them- 
selves had  an  assured  income  sufficient  for 
possible  needs. 

Mr.  Ford,  while  not  conspicuous  for  initiative, 

[54] 


THE  FIRST  TRUSTEES 

nevertheless  was  a  rarely  efficient  member  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees.  Always  prompt  in  attend- 
ance and  in  execution,  never  impulsive  in  word  or 
action,  at  the  fitting  time  his  matured  opinion  was 
ready  and  had  its  influence.  In  public  and  in 
private  he  never  lost  an  opportunity  for  a  word 
or  deed  in  the  interest  of  the  College. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ford  w^ere  among  the 
earliest  as  well  as  most  generous  contributors  to 
the  scholarship  and  general  funds  of  Pomona. 

Mr.  Ford  died  April  14,  1892,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-five  years.  Mrs.  Ford  survived  him  long 
enough  to  carry  out  his  wishes  and  to  see  some- 
thing of  the  maturing  fruits  of  their  generosity. 
Another  has  said  of  them,  ''Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ford 
have  a  substantial  investment  in  nearly  every 
church  in  Southern  California,  and  a  large  foun- 
dation stone  in  Pomona  College. ' ' 

The  president  of  the  corporation  the  first  five 
years  was  Mr.  Henry  A.  Palmer.  The  inception 
of  Pomona  hinged  on  the  unselfish  interest  of  this 
man  in  the  college  enterprise.  He  was  also  one 
of  those  interested  in  tlic  Claremoiit  site.  In 
many  ways,  Inimaiily  speaking,  he  was  indis- 
p(;nHa))le  during  tli(,'  early  ycais.  lie  l)uilt  liini- 
Kclf  into  the  foundations.  Mr.  Palmer's  wife  was 
a  granddaughter  of  President  Day  of  Vale  Col- 
l(!ge.  She  was  a  woman  of  l)righi  mind  and  gi-eat 
force  of  characler.    iler  appalling  alllicrnin  in  the 

[no  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

later  years  of  her  life  brought  upon  her  husband 
a  burden  which  was  well-nigh  crushing. 

It  has  been  helpful  and  a  source  of  genuine 
satisfaction  to  consult  with  Mr.  Palmer  on  the 
history  of  those  early  days,  and  to  use  the  ma- 
terial which  he  had  preserved.  He  was  a  Con- 
necticut man,  born  at  Stonington  (Mystic)  De- 
cember 23,  1842.  His  father,  Benjamin  Franklin 
Palmer,  was  descended  from  "Walter  Palmer,  who 
came  to  Connecticut  in  1628.  His  mother  was 
Eliza  Hart,  the  daughter  of  a  minister.  Giving 
up  a  college  education  because  of  poor  health,  he 
came  to  California  in  1861.  For  many  years  he 
led  an  active  business  life,  public  and  private,  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  State;  later  he  came 
south  and  opened  a  bank  in  the  early  days  of  the 
city  of  Pomona. 

On  his  retirement  from  the  Board  the  following 
resolution  was  passed:  ''The  term  of  Brother 
H.  A.  Palmer  as  trustee  of  the  institution  having 
expired,  and  he  having  declined  to  be  a  candidate 
for  reelection,  we  wish  to  put  on  record  our  deep 
appreciation  of  his  munificent  benefactions  and 
efficient  services.  His  generosity  made  the 
genesis  of  this  college  possible.  He  has  served 
this  board  as  its  president  from  its  organization. 
His  profound  interest  in  the  school,  and  his  ex- 
perience in  other  important  boards  of  trust,  have 
made  him  an  excellent  counsellor.  His  familiarity 
with  parliamentry  and  commercial  law  and  his 

[56] 


THE  FIRST  TRUSTEES 

facility  in  drawing  up  legal  papers  have  rendered 
his  services  invaluable  to  his  co-trustees.  With 
confidence  in  Brother  Palmer's  continued  interest 
in  our  institution,  we  extend  to  him,  with  a  copy 
of  this  minute,  our  personal  greetings  and  the 
gratitude  of  this  board. ' ' 

For  many  years  Mr.  Nathan  W.  Blanchard  was 
the  vice  president  of  the  Board.  He  was  born  on 
a  farm  in  Madison,  Maine,  July  27,  1831,  of  Hu- 
guenot descent.  Both  his  father  and  mother 
were  of  New  England  training.  By  teaching  and 
other  work  he  overcame  the  drawbacks  of  his 
earlier  life,  and  entered  Waterville  (now  Colby) 
College.  Debts  accumulated,  and  at  the  end  of 
two  years  he  came  to  California  to  earn  the  money 
with  which  to  pay  them,  and  to  continue  his  col- 
lege course.  A  series  of  misfortunes,  however, 
interfered  with  his  plans,  and  he  did  not  resume 
his  studies  in  college.  Notwithstanding  this, 
Colby  has  given  him  the  Bachelor's  degree  and 
also  the  Master's  degree. 

Mr.  Blanchard 's  integrity,  loyalty  to  his  con- 
victions, and  business  ability  have  given  him  suc- 
cess and  brought  him  into  ninny  positions  of 
private  and  public  rcsponHil)iIity.  A  staunch 
Congrogationalist  although  living  at  some  dis- 
tance from  any  Congregational  churcli,  he  lias 
kept  in  close  toiicli  willi  lli(»  chu relies  of  liis  faith 
and  is  a  recogni/ed  leader  among  ihein. 

[57] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

In  various  positions  in  connection  with  tlie 
Board  of  Trustees,  he  has  borne  the  heavy  bur- 
dens and  been  active  in  forming  the  policy  of  the 
College.  Many,  thoughtful  and  generous  as  have 
been  his  gifts,  perhaps  his  careful  conservatism, 
in  its  steadying  effect,  has  been  equally  helpful. 
Mr.  Blanchard  has  been  identified  so  closely  with 
Pomona  that  in  the  minds  of  the  people  of  South- 
ern California,  and  to  some  extent  of  the  whole 
State,  Pomona 's  honor  is  his  honor,  and  his  honor 
Pomona's  honor. 

Always  associated  with  Mr.  Blanchard 's  name 
in  connection  with  Pomona  is  that  of  Mr.  George 
W.  Marston,  now  the  president  of  the  corporation. 
Mr.  Marston  is  in  this  position  not  for  his  own 
sake,  not  as  a  reward  for  what  he  has  done,  but 
for  what  he  is  able  and  willing  to  do.  He  is 
one  of  the  three  original  members  who  are  still  on 
the  Board.  From  the  first  he  has  groT\Ti  into  the 
councils  of  the  trustees  until  he  is  the  recognized 
leader.  The  distance  of  his  home  from  the  Col- 
lege renders  his  visits  costly  in  time  and  money. 
Nevertheless  he  seldom  fails  to  be  present  on 
important  occasions.  In  1909,  before  the  coming 
of  President  Blaisdell,  while  facing  the  difficult 
and  important  matters  looking  to  the  ^'Greater 
Pomona,"  the  Board  of  Trustees  unanimously 
called  upon  Mr.  Marston  to  preside.  In  taking  up 
the  long-delayed  canvass  to  meet  Mr.  Carnegie's 

[58] 


THE  FIRST  TRUSTEES 

conditional  gift,  his  business  acumen,  knowledge 
of  men  and  unfailing  optimism  were  invaluable. 
In  his  gifts  from  time  to  time  Mr.  Marston  seems 
oblivious  of  name  and  fame  and  personal  prefer- 
ence, and  always  ready  to  help  where  the  help 
will  tell  most  in  the  interests  of  the  College. 

Few  colleges  have  had  on  their  board  of  trustees 
for  twenty-five  years  two  such  colaborers  as  Mr. 
Blanchard  and  Mr.  Marston,  always  acting  in 
harmony,  the  one  keeping  pace  with  the  other, 
l)ut  acting  naturally,  independently  and  conscien- 
tiously for  the  upbuilding  of  the  College.  Their 
leadership  alone  might  almost  insure  success. 
May  their  good  offices  continue  yet  many  years. 
May  they  have  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  Pomona 
lifted  into  a  position  in  which  she  shall  be 
equipped  to  do  ideally  the  work  for  which  the 
Ijord,  so  largely  through  their  instrumentalit}', 
has  brought  her  into  being,  and  so  far  and  so 
happily  along  her  course. 

Mr.  Marston 's  career  has  been  one  of  quiet 
growth,  fruitful  all  along  the  way  and  ever  in- 
(tnsasiiigly  successful.  Boi-n  in  the  township  of 
ICoshkonong,  Wisconsin,  OctolKu*  22,  1850,  after 
tlie  usual  country  sclioollng  he  look  thc^  four 
years'  ]f)r('[)Jiratoi-y  course  at  Hcloii  College. 
TImti  \u\  worked  for  a  year  in  a  (loui-  mill  and 
will)  IIk'  iiioiH^y  saved  took  a  special  scicnlilic 
(•oiii-Hc  in  Michigan  Uiiivcrsily.  l^'ixing  on  Cali- 
fornia as  liis   Cuture  home,   he  came  dir«'clly   to 

[59  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

San  Diego.  Here,  after  an  experience  of  four 
years  as  clerk  in  a  store,  he  took  up  the  mercantile 
business  himself,  at  first  with  a  partner  and  then 
alone.  He  has  built  up  one  of  the  strongest,  as  it 
is  the  oldest,  of  the  dry  goods  and  clothing  estab- 
lishments in  Southern  California.  His  career, 
apparently  at  its  full  tide,  is  notable  not  only  for 
its  large  business  success  but  for  its  breadth  and 
variety  of  accomplishment.  He  is  interested 
deeply  in  the  work  of  the  local  churches  and  their 
benevolences,  in  the  Young  Men's  Christian  As- 
sociation and  in  municipal  affairs.  He  has  made  a 
specialty  of  parks  and  the  beautifying  of  the  city 
of  San  Diego.  Among  other  things  he  has  found 
more  or  less  time  for  political  work  in  the  city, 
county  and  State.  At  the  last  meeting  of  the 
General  Association  of  Congregational  Churches, 
Mr.  Marston  was  elected  moderator,  the  first 
layman  ever  elected  to  that  position  by  this 
Association. 

In  the  inspiring  atmosphere  of  a  scholarly 
Christian  New  England  home,  Mr.  Henry  Kirke 
White  Bent  was  born.  His  father,  a  graduate 
of  Harvard  College,  at  the  time  of  his  death  was 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Amherst, 
Massachusetts.  His  mother  in  early  life  was  a 
highly  cultured  teacher,  and  in  later  years  her 
invalid  room  was  the  resort  of  earnest  and 
thoughtful  men  and  women  who  loved  to  discuss 

[60] 


THE  FIRST  TRUSTEES 

the  problems  of  the  day.  Under  such  strong 
formative  influences,  the  boy  naturally  looked 
forward  for  his  life's  work  to  the  Christian  min- 
istry. Serious  trouble  with  his  eyes,  however, 
compelled  him  to  turn  to  an  out-of-doors  life, 
and  he  chose  railroad  and  mining  engineering. 
He  quickly  took  high  rank  in  his  profession. 
Coming  to  California  in  1858,  in  addition  to  con- 
tinuing his  professional  work  he  became  a  factor 
in  the  religious,  educational  and  political  life  of 
the  communities  with  which  he  was  thrown. 

Under  the  pressure  of  his  profession  his  health 
gave  way,  and  he  was  constrained  finally  to  aban- 
don the  work  of  an  engineer.  At  length  he  took 
up  the  real  estate  business,  and  in  1867  came  to 
Los  Angeles,  at  the  beginning  of  its  more  rapid 
development.  He  was  drawn  into  a  very  active 
life  in  this  growing  city.  A  charter  member  of 
the  First  Congregational  Church,  he  was  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  Public  Library  and  also  of 
the  Horticultural  Society.  He  also  served  in  turn 
as  postmaster  and  president  of  the  Board  of 
Education. 

About  the  time  of  the  founding  of  the  College 
Mr.  Bent  married  his  second  wife  and  moved  to 
Pasadena.  Here  again  he  entered  heartily  into 
the  interests  of  the  city,  and  he  became  a  charter 
member  of  the  North  Congregational  Church. 

Mr.  Bent  never  ceased  to  regret  tlint  lie  could 
not  have  had  the  full  course  of  education  and  en- 

[61] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

tered  the  Christian  ministry.  When  the  oppor- 
tunity came  to  him  to  help  found  a  Christian  col- 
lege, he  eagerly  seized  upon  it  as  a  means  of  aid- 
ing others  to  enjoy  that  of  which  he  himself  had 
been  deprived.  For  unqualified  devotion  and  the 
expenditure  of  time  and  money  at  a  sacrifice 
kno^vn  to  few,  although  felt  by  more  than  one, 
surely  he  stands  among  the  foremost  of  the  found- 
ers of  Pomona.  Several  years  he  was  president 
of  the  corporation;  a  year  or  more  he  was  on 
salary  and  spent  most  of  his  time  in  the  college 
office.  Always  in  delicate  health  and  for  some 
years  closely  shut  in,  his  interest  and  helpfulness 
never  waned.  The  last  months  of  his  life,  feeble 
and  suffering,  his  face  lighted  up  with  the  old- 
time  beaming  gratification  at  good  news  from  Po- 
mona. Doubtless  the  years  of  perplexity,  of 
midnight  discussions,  of  constant  effort  and  strain 
to  satisfy  the  imperative  demands  of  the  College 
and  to  attain  the  impossible,  shortened  his  life. 
If  so,  he  would  have  been  the  last  one  to  regret  it ; 
nor  w^ould  Mrs.  Bent,  always  in  fullest  sympathy 
with  him,  have  had  it  otherwise. 

Mr.  Bent  died  July  29,  1902,  seventy-one  years 
of  age.  The  following  is  from  an  action  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  when  he  declined  reelection: 
"Resolved,  that  especially  by  his  self-sacrificing 
devotion  to  the  College,  assuming  freely,  though 
in  poor  health,  the  burden  of  a  laborious  corre- 
spondence and  of  perplexing  conferences,  he  has 

[62] 


THE  FIRST  TRUSTEES 

won  our  gratitude  and  admiring  love;  and  if  a 
college  becomes  a  blessing  in  so  far  as  it  is  built 
on  sacrifice,  he  assuredly  has  helped  in  great 
measure  to  open  before  this  institution  a  bright 
prospect  of  beneficent  influence." 

Rev.  Charles  B.  Sheldon,  the  son  of  a  Congre- 
gational minister,  was  graduated  at  Williams 
College  in  1847  and  studied  theology  at  Hudson, 
Ohio.  After  a  pastorate  of  three  years  at  Re- 
public, Ohio,  and  one  of  thirty  years  at  Excelsior, 
Minnesota,  he  came  to  California  on  account  of 
ill  health,  and  after  two  short  pastorates  settled 
on  a  ranch  near  North  Pomona.  He  was  actively 
and  effectively  interested  in  the  founding  of  Po- 
mona, and  although  disappointed  when  the  first 
site,  quite  near  his  home,  was  abandoned,  he  did 
not  waver  in  his  interest,  loyalty  and  generosity. 
He  was  one  of  the  original  trustees,  and  the  first 
treasurer.  The  minutes  of  the  General  Associa- 
tion of  Southern  California  characterize  him  very 
truthfully:  ''Most  manifestly  our  brother  was  a 
man  of  God.  To  those  who  knew  him  best  he 
always  seemed  to  bo  an  Israelite  indeed  in  whom 
there  was  no  guile.  He  evidently  had  great  near- 
ness to  the  throne  of  grace  in  ])rnyoi-.  lie  walked 
with  (lod.  lie  wjis  a  gcullc  man.  Ilo  caused  us 
often  to  think  ol"  lliat  disciple  whom  J(>sns  1o\(mI. 
1\)  a,  markecl  (h'gnMiliis  was  a  catliolic  mind,  lie 
loved    tiie  ti'ulii;   h(»  searched    for   it.      lie   was   a 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

lover  of  his  country.  He  was  a  lover  of  his  race. 
All  that  he  possessed  he  held  in  trust.  He  was 
deeply  engaged  in  the  temperance  reform.  He 
had  a  passionate  love  for  missions,  at  home  and 
abroad.  One  of  his  daughters  is  a  devoted  and 
honored  missionary  in  India.  By  his  unaided 
gifts  he  has  supported  several  native  preachers 
in  that  land. ' ' 

The  secretary  of  the  Education  Committee  of 
the  General  Association  of  Congregational 
Churches  which  located  the  College,  Eev.  T.  C. 
Hunt,  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  at 
Riverside,  California,  was  chosen  trustee  by  the 
nine  trustees  appointed  by  that  Committee.  He 
was  continuously  on  the  Executive  Committee 
while  he  remained  in  the  State.  Mr.  Hunt  and 
Mr.  Frank  A.  Miller  of  Riverside,  the  latter  own- 
ing one-seventh  of  the  property,  suggested  the 
giving  of  the  Claremont  site  to  the  College,  the 
other  o\\Tiers,  at  their  solicitation,  readily  assent- 
ing. No  one  more  fully  appreciated  the  hard 
work,  the  dangers  and  the  difficulties  in  building 
up  a  college  than  Mr.  Hunt.  He  saw  all  the  ob- 
stacles, and  was  very  shy  of  the  risks.  The  older 
members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  well  remember 
his  persistent  and  reiterated  cautions  against 
running  in  debt.  Doubtless  these  warnings  were 
necessary,  and  served  as  a  real  safeguard  in  those 
early  days.     Quite  possibly  the  faith  of  some  of 

[64] 


THE  FIRST  TRUSTEES 

the  early  members  in  the  future  of  Pomona  might 
have  carried  them  too  far  in  their  anxiety  ''not 
to  cheapen  it  down  below  enthusiasm."  The 
college  motto  w^as  proposed  by  Mr.  Hunt. 

Mr.  Hunt  was  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  College 
and  of  Chicago  Theological  Seminary.  He  was 
ordained  at  Colorado  Springs,  Colorado,  in  1881, 
and  assumed  the  pastorate  of  the  Congregational 
Church  at  Prescott,  Arizona,  at  once.  He  went 
from  the  pastorate  of  the  Riverside  Church  to 
Eau  Claire,  Wisconsin. 

Few  men  have  had  so  varied  an  experience  in 
Christian  work  as  has  Rev.  James  H.  Harwood, 
D.D.  Graduated  at  Williams  College  and  Union 
Theological  Seminary,  his  first  pastorate  was  at 
Crystal  Lake,  Illinois.  Mr.  Moody  took  him 
thence  into  his  mission  work  in  Chicago.  Re- 
moving to  Springfield,  Missouri,  his  home  mis- 
sionary superintendency  of  the  great  Southwest 
enal)led  him  to  engage  in  a  work — in  that  part  of 
Missouri,  in  Texas  and  Oklahoma,  and  as  far  oast 
as  Atlanta,  (Georgia — that  has  proved  remarkably 
fruitful  in  cluirches  and  educational  institutions. 
Coining  to  California  in  188(1,  lie  has  conlinned  in 
the  same  line  ol"  work.  One  of  tlu;  lirsl  ai)poinl('d 
trustees,  he  withdrew  lioin  (li(»  Board  because  ho 
was  to  liv(^  loo  fa  I-  away  to  alh-nd  llic  nicclings, 
and  liis  Ijrotlicr  took  his  ])laco. 

Jn  liarniony   with   tlio  original   imiposo  of  (ho 

[G5] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

College,  Dr.  Harwood  sought  to  transfer  to  the 
Board  of  Trustees  a  capacious  building,  con- 
structed and  more  or  less  used  for  an  academy,  in 
Orange.  Changed  conditions,  however,  ren- 
dered it  unadvisable  to  assume  the  responsibility- 
involved. 

For  the  first  twelve  years  Rev.  J.  K.  McLean, 
D.D.,  then  pastor  of  the  First  Congregational 
Church  of  Oakland,  represented  the  northern  part 
of  the  State  on  the  Board  of  Trustees.  He  usu- 
ally came  to  the  meetings  at  least  once  a  j^ear,  and 
oftener  when  it  seemed  especially  desirable.  His 
wide  experience  and  acknowledged  ability  gave  to 
him  a  unique  position  on  the  Board.  This  w^as 
especially  noticeable  in  important  changes,  and  at 
other  junctures.  His  presence  always  gave  a 
sense  of  strength.  In  financial  matters  in  the 
early  years  he  was  helpful  in  the  north.  It  was 
with  extreme  reluctance  that  he  was  given  up 
when  he  assumed  the  presidency  of  Pacific  Theo- 
logical Seminary. 

Rev.  C.  B.  Sumner,  engaged  in  the  interests  of 
the  Pilgrim  Congregational  Church  of  Pomona  at 
the  time  of  the  incorporation  of  the  College,  was 
born  at  Southbridge,  Massachusetts.  His  ances- 
tors on  both  sides  were  of  good  New  England 
stock ;  the  men  were  men  of  affairs  in  Church  and 
State.  On  his  father's  side  his  great-grandfather 
was  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College.    An  older 

[66] 


THE  FIRST  TRUSTEES 

half-brother  was  a  graduate  of  Amherst  College. 

Mr.  Sumner  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  and 
Andover  Theological  Seminary.  He  was  in  the 
Civil  War  nine  months,  and  subsequently,  with 
his  regiment,  camped  ten  days  in  Faneuil  Hall, 
Boston,  during  the  riots  of  1863.  His  first  pas- 
torate was  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Mon- 
son,  Massachusetts,  where  he  had  taught 
previously  in  Monson  Academy.  Before  coming 
to  California  he  was  also  successively  pastor  at 
West  Somerville,  Massachusetts,  and  at  Tucson, 
Arizona;  and  for  two  years  superintendent  of 
home  missions  in  Arizona  and  New  Mexico.  He 
had  to  do  with  the  location  of  the  College,  was  the 
first  secretary,  and  is  one  of  the  three  original 
trustees  now  on  the  Board.  The  spring  after  the 
organization  of  the  College  he  was  made  financial 
agent  as  well  as  secretary.  Until  President 
Baldwin  assumed  the  duties  of  his  office,  Mr. 
Sumner  was  the  recognized  executive  officer  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  and  of  the  Executive 
Committee. 

At  the  beginning  of  President  Baldwin's  ad- 
ministration Mr.  Sumner  was  elected  professor 
of  Biblical  literature,  and  for  health  considera- 
tions sought  and  obtained  a  year's  absence  witli- 
out  pay.  Notwithstanding  lie  had  been  mad(^  a 
member  of  the  faculty,  he  was  continued  on  the 
Board  of  Trustees  and  in  the  offices  of  the  Board. 
On  his  return  to  Claromont  after  a  year's  absouco, 

[67  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

the  Congregational  Churcli  of  Claremont  was  or- 
ganized and  recognized  by  council,  and  Mr.  Sum- 
ner accepted  its  pastorate,  his  professorship  in 
the  College  still  continuing.     The  pastorate  was 
relinquished  in  little  more  than  a  year.    Owing  to 
President  Baldwin's  absorption  in  large  projects 
outside  the  immediate  college  field,  and  his  fre- 
quent absence  from  Claremont,  the  business  mat- 
ters   of    the    College    largely    devolved    on    the 
secretary,  much  as  in  the  first  two  years.    In  1893, 
Mr.  Sumner,  with  his  own  consent,  was  excused 
from  the  classroom  and  all  other  work  in  order 
that  he  might  devote  his  entire  time  to  financial 
matters.  From  this  time  on,  except  for  a  short  pe- 
riod during  President  Ferguson's  administration, 
until  the  coming  of  President  Blaisdell,  financial 
and  other  business  matters  for  the  College,  in  the 
State  and  out  of  the  State,  have  largely  occupied 
his  time.     For  two  years,  from  1897  to  1899,  he 
was  not  on  the  Board  of  Trustees,  but  retained 
the  position  of  financial  secretary  one  year  of  that 
time  and  devoted  much  time  to  that  work  the 
other  year.     In  1899  he  resigned  his  professor- 
ship,   which   had   been   practically   sacrificed   to 
other  work  for  the  College  from  the  time  of  his 
appointment  to  the  faculty.    At  that  time  he  was 
reelected  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  to  the  secre- 
taryship, to  the  Executive  Committee  and  to  the 
Financial  Committee  of  the  Board.    On  the  resig- 
nation of  President  Ferguson  he  was  again  ap- 

[68] 


THE  FIRST  TRUSTEES 

pointed  financial  secretary,  and  retained  that 
position  practically  through  President  Gates'  ad- 
ministration. Pomona  conferred  on  him  the 
degree  of  LL.  D.  in  1910. 

In  1903  Mr.  Sumner  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Maria  Frost  Cole,  who  lived  less  than  three  years 
thereafter.  Her  interest  in  the  College  is  per- 
petuated by  a  fund  for  the  purchase  of  books  for 
the  library. 

Mr.  Seth  Richards  and  Mr.  Elwood  Cooper, 
whose  names  appear  on  the  Articles  of  Incorpo- 
ration, declined  their  appointment  to  the  Board 
of  Trustees. 

Rev.  D.  D.  Hill,  then  pastor  of  the  First  Con- 
gregational Church  of  Pasadena,  will  be  remem- 
bered for  his  interest  in  connection  with  the  by- 
laws. He  retired  from  the  Board  soon  after 
their  adoption.  Judge  Anson  Brunson  was  best 
known  as  consulting  attorney  for  the  College. 
Mr.  Howard  W.  Mills  j)lanned  large  things  for  the 
Coll(ige,  but  a  series  of  misfortunes  prevented 
his  carrying  out  his  i)lans  and  ho  willidrew  from 
the  Board.  His  interest,  however,  has  never 
flagged,  llo.v.  A.  J.  Wells  retired  from  \\\o.  Board 
when  lie  cliaiig(Ml  his  i-esid(»nce.  A  n'cent  letter 
fltates  that  Ik;  still  cImmmkIich  a  warm  interest  in 
I'oinona.  Kcv.  ('.  '\\  W(Mtz(!l  filled  a  \'acaiicv  for 
n  hIioiI.  ficrlod  bcl'oi-c  lie  left  the  Slali'.  Many 
remember  his   scholujly   address   on   "Reading" 

[G9J 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

before  the  Pomona  College  Literary  Society  at 
the  dedication  of  its  room  in  Holmes  Hall. 

Mr.  A.  S.  McPherron,  a  graduate  of  Oberlin 
College,  elected  to  fill  a  vacancy,  was  on  the 
Board  for  ten  years.  At  the  time  he  was  chosen 
he  was  associated  with  his  brother,  Mr.  John  M. 
McPherron,  in  McPherron  Academy,  Los  An- 
geles. Since  the  Academy  was  given  up  he  has 
been  connected  with  the  public  schools  of  Red- 
lands,  and  the  San  Bernardino  County  schools, 
as  superintendent.  Before  coming  to  this  State 
he  was  in  charge  of  the  New  "West  Academy  at 
Albuquerque,  New  Mexico.  Mr.  McPherron  is 
the  kind  of  man  whose  work  is  not  wholly  con- 
fined to  the  official  duties  of  his  office,  but  whose 
quiet  and  timely  words  go  a  long  way  toward 
building  up  an  institution. 

Rev.  R.  G.  Hutchins,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  First 
Congregational  Church  in  Los  Angeles,  came  to 
the  Board  of  Trustees  in  1888  and  continued  as 
trustee  until  he  left  the  State  in  1894.  His  first 
appearance  before  the  College  was  at  the  laying 
of  the  corner  stone  of  the  ''Central  Building," 
when  he  gave  the  principal  address.  Placed  on 
the  Executive  Committee,  he  manifested  hearty 
interest  in  the  college  work,  and  gave  to  it  much 
of  time  and  thought.  Positive  in  his  convictions, 
clear  and  strong  in  the  statement  of  his  positions, 
he  had  a  commanding  influence.     He  was  invited 

[70] 


THE  FIRST  TRUSTEES 

to    accept   the   presidency    of   the    College,   but 
declined. 

Born  at  West  Killingly,  Connecticut,  he  was 
graduated  at  "Williams  College  and  Andover 
Theological  Seminary.  Marietta  College  gave 
him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  Before 
going  to  Los  Angeles  he  had  several  Congrega- 
tional pastorates.  He  went  from  California  to  a 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Cleveland,  Ohio. 


[71] 


CHAPTER  VI 

THE  COLLEGE  SITE 
The  location  selected  for  the  College  by  the  Ed- 
ucation Committee  was  a  choice  one.  It  was  a 
mesa  or  table-land  of  some  hundred  acres,  with  a 
rich  loamj^  soil,  overlooking  large  stretches  of  the 
valley  which  extends  from  Los  Angeles  to  San 
Bernardino,  sixty  miles  in  length,  and  from  ten 
to  twenty  miles  in  width.  At  the  present  time 
this  expansive  stretch  of  country  is  one  vast, 
beautiful  garden  plot,  made  up  of  alfalfa  fields, 
orange  and  lemon  orchards,  eucalyptus,  pepper, 
live  oak,  and  other  evergreen  trees,  growing  in 
groups  and  long  rows,  and  marking  boundaries, 
cities,  villages  and  villa  homes.  The  single  and 
clustered  houses  and  streets  are  lighted  by  elec- 
tricity, and  in  the  evening  the  sheen  here  and 
there,  with  occasional  single  lights,  gives  the  ef- 
fect of  a  fairyland.  It  is  a  place  of  vision.  More 
than  one  has  looked  dovm.  from  this  elevation  in 
imagination  upon  millions  of  inhabitants  rejoic- 
ing in  semi-tropical  climate  and  vegetation,  while 
surrounded  and  guarded  by  mountain  ranges 
with  their  snow-clad  peaks — in  sharp  contrast 
with  remembered  homes  where  for  six  months  in 
the  year  the  eye  must  be  content  with  a  dreary, 

[72] 


THE  COLLEGE  SITE 

bleak,  forbidding  sameness,  varied  only  by 
months  of  snowy  covering. 

This  level  mesa  drops  precipitately  thirty  or 
more  feet  to  the  eastward  and  southward,  down 
to  the  general  level  of  the  floor  of  the  valley,  and 
to  the  northward  to  a  plain  of  gravelly  soil  well 
suited  to  business  and  recreation  purposes.  This 
lower  plain  of  a  few  acres  is  at  the  entrance  of 
one  of  our  most  attractive  canons,  or  natural 
parks,  a  more  or  less  wooded  ravine  extending 
between  the  foothills  up  to  the  mountains'  base. 
A  flowing  stream,  its  banks  laden  with  trees, 
shrubs  and  flowers,  winds  along  the  depression, 
with  here  and  there  its  pools  and  miniature  falls, 
its  little  islands  and  its  diminutive  table-lands 
with  their  luxuriant  coverings.  The  steep  sides 
of  the  foothills  now  fall  back,  now  approach  each 
other,  until  in  one  place  they  form  a  rocky  gorge 
whose  precipitous  walls,  almost  touching,  sug- 
gest the  building  of  a  high  dam  which  should  ar- 
rest the  onrushing  stream  and  form  a  pleasure 
7)ond  or  lake,  spreading  out  between  the  hillsides 
and  strotcliing  for  a  mile  or  two  toward  the 
mountains. 

The  site  is  a  mile  and  one-half  from  Nortli 
PoHioTia,  from  which  point  a  nioloi'  ran  between 
ihc.  Saiil.'i  V\'  Ikjiilroad  station  jiikI  the  City  of 
INinion.'i,  two  .-iiid  one  li.ill"  iiiiics  dislanl.  Ihito 
this  (l;iy  tlic  place  iiwalvciis  ciil Imsiasiii  in  its  vis- 
iloj-K,  iiiglit,  or  (lay,  and  learning  its  history  tiiey 

[  73  j 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

exclaim,  ''What  an  ideal  spot  for  a  cultural 
college ! ' ' 

The  delay  of  college  work  incident  to  the  land 
excitement  and  the  rapid  development  which  ex- 
tended to  every  part  of  Southern  California,  un- 
fortunate as  it  was,  was  unavoidable.  Not  a 
hand  was  lifted  for  six  months  after  the  incorpo- 
ration and  organization  of  the  College,  even  to 
collect  subscriptions.  Yet  no  one  could  be 
blamed.  Every  officer  of  the  College  was  over- 
whelmed with  work  by  reason  of  the  unwonted 
and  feverish  stimulus  felt  in  every  department 
of  business  and  every  phase  of  life. 

The  Executive  Committee,  to  whom  was  com- 
mitted the  securing  of  some  one  to  take  up  the 
college  work,  came  to  feel  that  the  case  was  des- 
perate. A  speedy  and  vigorous  movement  alone 
could  prevent  the  collapse  of  the  enterprise. 
Finally,  no  one  being  found  to  whom  they  were 
willing  to  entrust  the  responsibility,  they  turned 
to  the  secretary  and  urged  him  to  save  the  Col- 
lege. The  young  church  at  Pomona,  which  he 
was  then  serving,  pleaded  with  him  not  to  leave 
it  at  this  early  stage,  affirming  that  it  meant  ruin. 
His  own  heart  pleaded  also  against  the  proposi- 
tion, for  this  was  his  ideal  pastorate;  besides,  to 
leave  it  now  for  this  purpose  meant,  in  his  mind, 
virtually  to  abandon  the  calling  to  which  he  had 
devoted  his  life.  Nevertheless  he  was  intensely 
interested  in  the  College,  and  committed  to  it  as 

[74] 


THE  COLLEGE  SITE 

even  more  important  than  any  one  church,  and 
he  finally  consented  to  assume  the  duties  of  finan- 
cial secretary  as  soon  as  the  right  man  could  be 
found  to  take  the  pastorate  which  he  must  lay 
down.  He  found  his  old  friend,  Rev.  L.  H. 
Frary,  and  persuaded  him  to  accept  the  field. 
The  Church  consenting  to  the  change,  Mr.  Sum- 
ner assumed  the  college  responsibilities  April  1, 
1888,  after  one  year  of  work  for  Pilgrim  Church. 
This  act  on  the  part  of  the  secretary  was  felt  to 
be  a  distinct  sacrifice,  involving  a  life  consecra- 
tion to  the  purpose  of  building  up  a  Christian 
college. 

Very  quickly  it  was  found  that  the  seriousness 
of  the  situation  had  not  been  overestimated. 
Matters  were  already  bad  enough,  and  growing 
worse  and  worse.  Money  subscribed  could  be 
collected  only  with  difficulty.  New  gifts  were 
out  of  the  question.  No  money  could  be  raised 
on  land.  The  secretary  seemed  powerless;  and 
yet  the  Board  of  Trustees  had  instructed  the 
Executive  Committee  to  proceed  with  the  laying 
out  of  the  town  of  ''Piedmont,"  the  securing  of 
plans  for  tlie  ''Central  Building,"  and  prepara- 
tions for  tli(i  opening  of  the  College  in  tlic  fall. 
There  was  but  one  thing  to  do — ]nisli  on  just  as 
fast  and  as  far  as  possibles,  and  coHect  and  pnt  into 
p(;rnianent  form  every  dollar  that  could  possibly 
bo  Rccured,  lioping  \\>v  fiiluri'  d(»v<»lopnients. 
Faiili  was  lax('(l  to  Wn".  nttiMinosl.     It  was  hardly 

r  7r,  1 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

possible  to  anticipate  more  than  one  step  at 
a  time.  Yet  was  there  no  cessation  in  the 
forward  movement.  Looking  back  upon  it,  faith 
seems  to  have  been  well-nigh  blind  to  human 
obstacles. 

Frequent  meetings  were  held  by  the  Executive 
Committee.  The  secretary  was  in  daily  consul- 
tation with  the  president  of  the  corporation,  who 
was  keenly  alive  to  the  situation.  Mr.  Bent,  too, 
came  speedily  into  fullest  sympathy  with  their 
labors,  and  his  counsels  were  prized.  Mr.  Ford 
and  Mr.  Sheldon  also  could  be  counted  on  for  co- 
operation. Thus  the  financial  secretary  was  sure 
of  solid  backing.  He  was  an  optimist,  and  did 
not  waver  nor  hesitate.  "Wliile  collecting  what 
money  he  could,  and  corresponding  with  refer- 
ence to  the  teaching  force,  he  also  superintended 
work  on  the  grounds. 

Under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Wesley  Beach,  a 
competent  engineer,  the  campus  was  plotted  and 
the  village  of  Piedmont  laid  out  in  blocks  and 
lots.  It  was  found  that  good  clay  could  be  ob- 
tained from  the  college  campus,  and  it  was  de- 
cided to  build  of  brick  made  from  this  clay. 
Through  the  president  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Clinton. 
Day,  an  architect  of  repute  in  and  about  San 
Francisco,  was  employed,  and  drew  the  plans  for 
the  building.  These  called  for  a  structure  of 
three  stories  with  a  basement:  the  basement  to 
be  made  of  stone  and  the  remainder  of  brick 

[76] 


THE  COLLEGE  SITE 

trimmed  witli  local  brownstone;  the  dimensions 
to  be  one  hundred  and  seven  feet  in  frontage  by 
eighty  feet  in  depth.  The  lines  of  the  building 
were  plain,  neat,  substantial  and  artistic.  The 
basement  was  divided  into  rooms  where  were  to 
be  placed  the  chemical,  biological,  physical  and 
mechanical  equipments.  The  main  floor  was  to 
contain  an  assembly  room  with  seating  capacity 
for  two  hundred  and  eighty,  recitation  rooms 
and  offices.  On  the  floors  above  there  were  to  be 
several  recitation  rooms  and  fifty  dormitory  and 
study  rooms.  The  cost  was  to  be  about  forty-five 
thousand  dollars.  The  plans  were  accepted  and 
instruction  was  given  to  build  as  rapidly  as  pos- 
sible. Accordingly  bricks  were  made,  suffi- 
cient for  the  entire  structure,  the  grounds  were 
graded  and  the  foundations  laid,  all  ready  for  the 
corner-stone.  The  work  occupied  the  summer 
months. 

It  is  interesting  to  review  these  plans  and  note 
the  ideas  of  the  trustees  as  to  the  needs  of  the 
College  at  the  outset,  in  contrast  with  the  neces- 
sities at  subsequent  times.  They  judged,  in  view 
of  the  experiences  of  like  institutions,  that  they 
were  building  amply  for  twonty-fivo  years.  No 
ou(!  thought  of  c.lasKcs  of  more  than  lil'ly  students. 
Tlie  needs  have  come  crowding  so  rapidly  at 
every  stage;  of  the  way  that  it  has  been  necessai-y 
to  hold  the  mind  always  open  and  responsive  to 
their    demands.     The   most   optimistic   anticipa- 

[77] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

tions  ever  and  again  have  been  exceeded  by  the 
realization. 

A  notable  feature  of  this  summer's  work, 
which  was  a  long  and  heavj^  task  requiring  many 
men  and  many  teams,  was  the  alacrity  with 
which  the  ranchers,  in  some  cases  with  heavy 
mortgages  on  their  ranches,  and  working  men 
with  families,  gave  of  their  o^vn  time  and  the  time 
of  their  teams  to  aid  the  enterprise.  Hundreds 
of  dollars  were  freely  contributed  in  this  way. 
These  men  felt  a  personal  interest  in  this  provi- 
sion for  the  higher  education  of  their  families 
and  the  families  of  their  neighbors.  Many  a  ref- 
erence was  made  by  different  ones  to  personal 
knowledge  or  experience  of  similar  institutions  in 
the  Middle  West  and  in  New  England.  The 
strongest  testimony  was  given  to  their  utility  and 
to  the  value  of  the  Christian  college  to  its  constit- 
uency. One  of  the  largest  subscribers,  when  he 
gave  his  check,  said,  ''I  am  not  a  Congregation- 
alist.  My  wife  is  a  member  of  another  church 
and  I  like  to  attend  worship  with  her.  But  I 
have  noticed  that  the  Congregationalists  are  more 
successful  than  any  other  denomination  in  build- 
ing up  educational  institutions.  They  have  a 
genius  for  that  work.  I  am  glad  to  help  you." 
These  testimonies  were  encouraging  and  stimu- 
lating as  one  looked  forward  into  the  future  and 
realized  the  sort  of  constituency  by  which  the  Col- 
lege was  to  be  surrounded. 

[78] 


THE  COLLEGE  SITE 

The  laying  of  the  corner-stone  was  felt  to  be 
a  great  event.  It  was  a  waymark  of  progress, 
the  first  appeal  to  the  attention  of  the  public. 
What  would  be  the  response?  Would  the  wide- 
spread depression  of  spirits  weaken  the  faith  of 
untried  friends,  causing  them  to  look  upon  the 
enterprise  as  destined  to  be  a  failure  ?  Or  would 
they  rally  around  the  College  in  good  faith,  take 
courage  themselves  and  impart  courage  to  those 
who  were  striving  to  build!  These  questions 
came  to  many  minds,  not  excepting  those  of  the 
Executive  Committee.  They  did  not,  however, 
retard,  but  rather  accelerated,  the  efforts  to  carry 
forward  the  work.  The  inward  voice  alone  was 
heeded,  whose  command,  oft  reiterated,  was,  ' '  Go 
forward. ' ' 

The  time  fixed  upon  for  the  laying  of  the  cor- 
ner-stone was  September  26.  Careful  arrange- 
ments were  made  for  a  large  gathering.  Eev. 
R.  G.  Hutchins,  D.D.,  who  had  just  come  to  the 
pastorate  of  the  First  Congregational  Church  of 
Los  Angeles,  had  been  invited  to  give  the  princi- 
pal address.  The  president  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  Mr.  H.  A.  Palmer,  was  to  preside  and 
officially  lay  the  stone.  A  meeting  of  the  Board 
of  '^^i^j-ustees  was  called  for  the  sanu^  day.  ({en- 
oral  invitations  were  extonih-d,  tlirough  llie 
cliu relics  of  the  Congregational  denomination  and 
through  other  denominations  in  I'onionn  as  well, 
to    the    friends   of   the   (\)llege   to   meet    on    the 

[  7:)  1 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

grounds  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  to  re- 
main and  partake  of  a  basket  lunch  after  the 
exercises. 

The  day  dawned,  one  of  the  worst  in  the  sum- 
mer, the  air  full  of  electricity;  and  an  early 
shower  was  followed  by  most  oppressive,  muggy 
heat.  It  was  a  test  of  loyalty  to  go  out  into  the 
country  and  stand  under  the  broiling  sun.  But 
five  hundred  or  more  from  the  neighboring  cities, 
and  from  Los  Angeles,  Pasadena,  Redlands, 
Riverside  and  Santa  Ana,  participated  in  the 
exercises. 

It  was  a  notable  gathering.  Rev.  Mr.  Wells 
led  in  prayer.  A  quartet  led  by  Mr.  F.  P.  Brack- 
ett  sang.  The  presiding  officer  gave  a  brief  his- 
tory of  the  enterprise,  and  stated  its  purpose  and 
its  hopes,  guided  as  it  would  be  by  the  experiences 
of  many  like  institutions  which  had  grown  up 
under  the  same  fostering  care.  The  address  of 
the  day  by  Dr.  Hutchins  was  peculiarly  appro- 
priate, and  was  received  with  marked  favor. 
The  need  of  Christian  education  in  this  section 
of  so  great  promise  was  dwelt  upon;  the  happy 
auspices  under  which  the  College  had  its  begin- 
ning, and  the  high  ideals  of  its  progenitors  were 
made  to  presage  large  success  in  the  early  future. 
The  advantages  that  would  accrue  to  its  constit- 
uency were  vividly  portrayed.  Rev.  Mr.  Ford 
read  from  the  Scriptures  and  Rev.  Mr.  Hunt  led 
in  prayer.     Under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Palmer 

[80] 


THE  COLLEGE  SITE 

a  box  containing  a  history  of  the  enterprise,  lo- 
cal newspapers  and  kindred  documents  was  sealed 
and  put  in  place,  and  the  stone  was  lowered  and 
adjusted  to  its  position.  The  congregation  sang 
the  well-known  dedicatory  hymn  of  Mr.  N.  P. 
Willis  beginning,  "The  perfect  world  by  Adam 
trod."  Dr.  Harwood  happily  expressed  the  con- 
gratulations of  the  Board  of  Trustees  on  so  prom- 
ising a  beginning  of  the  College;  Mr.  Ljrman 
Allen  of  La  Verne  spoke  of  the  growth  and  prom- 
ise of  the  valley;  letters  of  regret,  and  of  S}Tn- 
pathy  with  the  undertaking,  were  read  from 
Ex-governor  Merrill  of  Iowa  and  others;  the 
quartet  sang  again,  and  the  audience  was  dis- 
missed with  the  benediction  by  Rev.  Mr.  Sumner. 

The  assembly  then  adjourned  to  a  shady  spot, 
where  the  lunch  was  served.  Every  one  present 
enjoyed  the  occasion  and  felt  from  this  first  ex- 
perience that  Pomona  College  had  a  warm  place 
in  the  hearts  of  its  constituency,  and  the  promise 
of  a  future.  At  the  same  time,  how  imperfectly 
could  tliose  there  gathered  together,  looking  down 
the  vista  of  time,  foresee  the  lines  along  which 
this  promise  was  to  be  fulfilled!  That  very  day, 
all  uTi perceived  by  human  ear,  the  death  knell  was 
sounded  to  the  hopes  centering  in  this  particular 
corner-stone,  and  also  in  the  village  of  Piedmont. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trnsices  a 
communication  was  rec(Mve(l  from  Messrs.  Fuller- 
ton,  Miller,  Kingman  and  Palmer,  proposing  to 

[81] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

convey  to  the  College  certain  properties  in  Clare- 
mont,  on  conditions  which  appealed  strongly  to 
them.  A  committee  consisting  of  Messrs.  Hunt, 
Bent  and  Blanchard  was  appointed  to  see  the 
property,  consider  the  proposition  in  detail  and 
report  to  the  Executive  Committee.  The  Exec- 
utive Committee,  together  with  this  special  com- 
mittee, was  empowered  to  act  in  all  matters  grow- 
ing out  of  the  negotiations.  The  result  of  the 
examination  and  conference  was  the  deeding  to 
Pomona  College  of  what  was  known  as  **  Hotel 
Claremont,"  a  building  which  had  cost  twenty- 
two  thousand  dollars,  with  the  block  of  land  on 
which  it  stood,  the  block  east  of  it,  and  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty  lots  in  the  town  laid  out  and  named 
' ' Claremont. "  The  conditions  were:  a  college 
note,  without  interest,  for  five  thousand  dollars, 
to  be  paid  by  a  small  percentage  of  the  price  of 
lots  actually  sold,  and  the  agreement  to  maintain 
within  the  limits  of  Claremont  some  department 
of  the  college  work.  The  transaction  was  felt  to 
be  a  very  great  boon  to  the  College  just  at  this 
time.  For  it  had  been  found  impossible  to  com- 
plete the  Central  Building  in  time  for  occupancy 
at  the  fall  term,  when  it  was  felt  to  be  important 
that  the  College  open;  and  moreover  the  further 
collection  of  subscriptions  at  this  time  was  prac- 
tically impossible. 

The  transaction  had  a  far-reaching  importance 
not  even  thought  of  at  the  time.    Work  on  the 

[82] 


THE  COLLEGE  SITE 

Central  Building  was  at  once  discontinued,  and 
never  resumed.  Two  years  later,  under  Presi- 
dent Baldwin's  administration,  the  idea  was  con- 
ceived of  abandoning  the  original  site  altogether, 
and  making  Claremont  alone  the  permanent  home 
of  the  College.  In  the  winter  of  1892-93  a  spe- 
cial meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  was  called, 
and  the  question  of  location  was  very  fully  dis- 
cussed. The  discussion  was  on  the  question, 
'' Should  the  Preparatory  School  be  wholly  sep- 
arated from  the  College  Department?"  Though 
academic  in  form,  the  question  was  understood  to 
involve  the  whole  matter  at  issue.  Dr.  McLean 
and  others  adduced  the  experience  of  institutions 
in  the  Middle  "West  as  against  such  separation, 
even  in  the  same  city  or  town ;  if  further  removed 
from  each  other  the  separation  was  still  more  se- 
rious. No  one  was  prepared  to  dispute  the  facts 
as  presented,  while  some  did  not  regard  them 
as  conclusive,  and  when  an  infonnal  vote  was 
taken  there  were  one  blank,  four  against  and 
seven  for  the  permanent  union  of  the  two  depart- 
ments on  the  same  site.  The  formal  vote  stood 
one  blank  and  eleven  in  favor  of  such  permanent 
union.  A  vote  to  abandon  the  original  site 
followed. 

This  was  the  severest  test  to  which  the  Board 
of  Trustees  had  been  subjected.  Hero  was  an 
honest  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  wisest  pol- 
icy.   Some  felt  that  it  was  bettor  to  give  up 

[83] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Clareinont  than  Piedmont.  At  least  College  and 
School  might  remain  separate  for  a  few  years. 
It  was  even  better  to  drop  the  Preparatory  School 
than  to  give  up  Piedmont. 

It  is  a  fact  of  supreme  significance  that  unanim- 
ity of  action  was  secured.  The  sacrifice  of  long- 
cherished  ideals  on  the  part  of  some  of  the 
trustees  was  not  a  light  matter.  It  was  very  dif- 
ficult for  them  to  see  how,  by  any  conceivable 
possibility,  the  exchanging  of  the  ideal  location 
at  Piedmont  for  Claremont  could  be  in  the  long 
run  to  the  interest  of  a  cultural  college.  It 
seemed  like  sacrificing  the  College  to  the  inter- 
ests of  the  Preparatory  School. 

The  possibility  of  dropping  the  Preparatory 
Department  had  not  then  been  discussed ;  but  the 
question  naturally  arises  at  this  time  whether,  if 
the  trustees  could  have  anticipated  the  dropping 
of  the  Preparatory  School  so  soon,  the  decision 
would  have  been  the  same.  It  was  understood 
that  a  complication  in  the  title  influenced  the 
votes;  with  how  much  reason  is  not  so  certain. 
The  College  restored  the  Piedmont  land  to  Mr. 
Palmer,  w^ith  some  compensation  for  damage 
done. 

For  four  years  the  foundations  remained  in 
statu  quo.  The  Pomona  class  of  1895  quietly  ob- 
tained the  corner-stone,  had  it  properly  inscribed, 
and  set  it  upon  seven  stones — representing  the 
number  of  members  in  the  class— near  its  pres- 

[84] 


THE  COLLEGE  SITE 

ent  situation  just  south  of  the  Library.  The  con- 
tents of  the  box  imbedded  in  the  corner-stone  were 
preserved,  and  were  put  with  the  other  documents 
into  the  corner-stone  of  the  Library. 

A  really  serious  drawback  followed  this  im- 
portant action  (the  change  of  site)  owing  to  the 
fact  that  the  subscriptions  made  at  the  time  of 
the  location  of  the  College  were  all  based  on  that 
particular  location.  When  the  site  was  formally 
changed,  some,  undoubtedly  influenced  by  hard 
times,  refused  to  recognize  their  subscriptions, 
and  a  few  who  had  already  paid  demanded  return 
of  their  money.  These  demands  were  complied 
with,  though  necessitating  an  increased  indebted- 
ness in  addition  to  the  giving  up  of  valuable  lands. 
There  were  a  number  of  notable  exceptions.  On 
the  whole,  whatever  the  material  sacrifices,  the 
change  cost  the  College  no  real  friends.  How 
far  there  was  any  actual  compensation  for  the 
material  and  esthetic  loss  may  never  be  answered 
to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  The  Board 
of  Trustees,  however,  was  a  large  and  intolligont 
body,  and  acted  with  full  deliberation,  and  it  is 
believed  under  divine  guidance.  Tlie  Pomona  of 
today  is  the  outcome.     L(>t  all  I'cjoice. 


[  85  J 


CHAPTER  VII 

PREPARATORY  WORK 

In  order  that  the  College  might  open  in  the 
autumn  of  1888,  as  the  Board  of  Trustees  had  di- 
rected, it  became  necessary,  since  the  Central 
Building  could  not  be  completed  in  time,  to  se- 
cure accommodations  in  Pomona.  For  this  pur- 
pose a  cottage  of  five  rooms,  on  the  corner  of 
White  Avenue  and  Fifth  Street,  was  engaged. 
The  grounds  were  spacious,  affording  lawns,  flow- 
ers and  shrubs,  with  shade,  fruit  and  ornamental 
trees.  A  vine-covered  arbor  furnished  a  much- 
needed  extra  recitation  room.  The  hedges  an- 
swered for  vaulting  bars  for  boys  and  girls,  and 
the  broad  street  was  a  much-used  race  track,  also 
for  both  sexes.  The  double  parlors  made  a  good 
assembly  room,  and  the  kitchen  with  its  stove  and 
sink  was  the  laboratory  for  scientific  study.  The 
furnishing  was  scanty,  including  only  the  essen- 
tials, as  chairs  and  tables  of  the  cheapest  sort. 
There  were  no  carpets,  curtains  or  pictures,  nor 
even  the  semblance  of  desks  or  platforms.  Hap- 
pily heat,  save  that  from  the  kitchen  stove,  was 
not  considered  a  necessity. 

The  teachers  had  been  selected  with  great  care. 

[86] 


PREPAEATORY  WORK 

Professor  Norton — already  having  the  title  of 
'*  Professor" — brought  strong  commendations. 
Professor  Brackett,  who  had  declined  several  im- 
portant openings  in  the  East  to  come  to  Southern 
California,  had  been  teaching  a  private  school 
in  Pomona  in  anticipation  of  this  event,  and  now 
brought  his  students  with  him  as  a  nucleus  for 
the  new  college.  Mrs.  Storrs  had  proven  her 
ability  in  a  Young  Ladies'  School  in  Los  Angeles. 
Miss  Blades  had  spent  some  years  in  study  in 
Germany.  Both  the  other  teachers  were  well 
known  and  approved  in  their  profession. 

A  general  announcement  of  the  opening  of  the 
College  was  made  on  a  large  single  sheet,  with  a 
cut  of  the  Central  Building  covering  the  upper 
half.  This  was  followed  later  by  a  four-page 
prospectus,  the  first  page  of  which  read  thus : 

An  Unsectarian  Christian  College  for  the  Edu- 
cation of  Both  Sexes. 

First  Term  Begins  September  12th,  1888. 
FACULTY 


President. 
Rev.  E.  C.  Norton,  M.  A., 

Principal  of  the  Preparatory  Department 
and  T(!acher  of  Greek. 
F.  V.  Firackclt,  B.  A., 

Teach<!r  of  Mutlieniatics  and  Latin. 

[87] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Mrs.  H.  A.  Storrs, 

Teacher  of  English  and  Science. 
Miss  Edith  Blades, 

Teacher  of  German. 
Miss  Coribel  Stites, 

Teacher  of  Drawing  and  Painting. 
Miss  Mamie  Caldwell, 

Teacher  of  Piano,  Harmony  and  Theory. 

On  the  next  two  pages  the  courses  of  study  were 
laid  down  and  the  necessary  expenses  stated,  and 
on  the  last  page  were  the  names  of  the  members 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  a  calendar  for  the 
school  year. 

It  was  on  a  clear,  bright,  auspicious  morning 
that  the  various  interested  parties  wended  their 
ways  from  widely  separated  regions  to  the  un- 
pretentious assembly  room  to  have  a  part  in  the 
opening  exercises  of  the  new  college.  There 
were  trustees  and  faculty  and  parents,  together 
■with  the  student  body,  all  led  by  a  vision 
but  dimly  and  partially  understood.  It  was  a 
thoughtful,  serious-minded  company.  There  were 
no  children  among  the  students:  nearly  all  were 
fully  grown  young  men  and  women,  mature 
enough  to  have  minds  of  their  ovra.  A  few  of 
them  had  already  begun  preparatory  work  for 
college ;  three  were  of  college  standing. 

Dr.  Harwood  was  introduced,  on  behalf  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  to  conduct  the  chapel  exer- 

[88] 


PREPARATORY  WORK 

cies.  He  read  from  the  Psalms  the  passage  be- 
ginning, ''Except  the  Lord  build  the  house  they 
labor  in  vain  that  build  it,"  and  led  in  prayer. 
He  then,  speaking  briefly  of  the  importance  of  the 
occasion,  characterized  the  College  as  indeed  ''but 
a  poor,  weak  little  sapling  as  yet;  but,"  he  con- 
tinued, "it  will  grow,  and  yield  fruit  and  spread 
its  influence  as  long  as  time  shall  last." 

Mr.  Thomas  Barrows,  from  the  Ojai  Valley, 
whose  two  children  were  among  the  students, 
gave  expression  to  his  hearty  congratulations  and 
his  large  hopes  for  the  future.  Mr.  Sumner 
spoke  of  the  significance  of  the  occasion  as  a  way- 
mark  in  the  realization  of  a  great  purpose  formed 
under  divine  guidance  and  carried  forward, 
through  strenuous  efforts  and  in  the  face  of  diffi- 
culties, for  the  furtherance  of  Christian  civiliza- 
tion. The  students  were  then  enrolled  and  classi- 
fied, and  the  way  was  open  for  scholarly  work. 

One  of  the  students  present,  who  graduated 
several  years  later  and  is  now  a  Christian  teacher 
in  China,  referring  to  Dr.  Harwood's  simile,  says, 
"I  am  proud  to  liave  been  one  of  the  illustrious 
band  who  had  a  hand  in  the  important  function 
of  planting  the  tree.  It  was  the  greatness  of  Uio 
occasion  iliat  overpowered  us,  I  think,  rather  than 
the  magnificence  of  the  spectacle.  For  there  was 
no  magnificc^nce." 

I*]vi«l('ntly  this  was  no  ordinary  occasion  like 
iJie  sinifile  oixMiing  of  a  private  school.     Thero 

LSI)  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

was  an  indescribable  feeling,  a  sense  of  awe,  ap- 
parently felt  by  all,  which  gave  to  it  a  signifi- 
cance of  its  own.  And  yet  who  of  those  present, 
even  those  who  had  given  the  most  time  and 
thought  to  the  institution  and  were  the  most  op- 
timistic, had  any  adequate  conception  of  the  real- 
ity so  obvious  at  the  end  of  twenty-five  years? 

Even  as  there  was  a  mysterious  sense  of  some- 
thing more  in  this  occasion  than  that  which  ap- 
peared, so  in  the  following  days  there  was  ever 
present  in  the  student  body  and  the  teaching 
force,  in  the  very  atmosphere  of  the  institution, 
this  same  sense  of  the  greater  in  the  less,  the 
small  beginning  of  something  yet  to  be.  Every 
one  seemed  to  havea  semi-consciousness  of  the 
future.  This  was  manifest  in  an  enthusiasm 
wholly  unaccountable  otherwise  in  these  plain  and 
narrow  surroundings  with  nothing  to  appeal  to 
eye  or  ear.  And  when  it  was  noised  abroad  that 
the  College  actually  had  a  hall  of  its  own  await- 
ing the  following  term,  the  enthusiasm  rose  to  a 
high  pitch.  Strangely  enough  among  young  peo- 
ple, this  enthusiasm  did  not  wane,  but  rather 
grew  with  the  weeks  of  waiting  and  preparation. 
There  gradually  came  over  all  a  pervasive  sense 
of  ownership.  Claremont  Hall  was  ''our  Hall," 
subject  to  no  man's  behest.  This  gave  a  feeling 
of  permanence  and  of  large  promise  to  the 
College. 

The  impulse  given  by  the  acquisition  of  a  home 

[90] 


PEEPARATORY  WORK 

was  widely  felt.  The  College  began  to  attract 
more  attention.  New  scholars  came,  and  this 
first  term,  in  a  hired  house,  was  a  success.  Its 
success,  however,  was  not  so  much  in  itself,  in  a 
single  term  of  school;  it  was  in  its  educative  and 
formative  work,  in  crystallizing  the  nucleus  of  a 
college,  and  in  developing  confidence  in  the  Col- 
lege. Probably  not  more  than  half  a  dozen  of  the 
students  had  previously  any  definite  purpose  of 
taking  a  college  course  of  study.  Association  is 
a  strong  bond,  and  happily  the  few  who  were  de- 
cided positively  on  a  college  course  were  strong, 
leading  characters  from  Christian  families. 
But  more  than  all  else  was  it  this  common,  uni- 
versal enthusiasm  for  what  was  to  become  a  great 
institution  which  drew  and  held  the  students.  It 
was  during  that  first  term,  and  has  ever  been,  one 
great  source  of  Pomona's  strength.  In  Novem- 
ber of  that  year  the  '' Pomona  Progress"  said: 
*'The  bricks  for  the  Congregational  College  in 
Pomona  are  being  rapidly  made  and  the  first  kiln 
will  be  ready  for  burning  in  a  few  days.  The  in- 
terest in  tliis  institution  is  increasing  each  day, 
and  its  success  is  more  and  more  assured." 

Before  the  term  ended  plans  were  discussed  for 
a  literary  society,  for  a  paper,  for  a  Christian 
AHso(;ijiiion  and  for  atlihstics;  in  fact,  for  nearly 
tl)(!  vv1i(j1(!  gnrimt  of  college  activities. 

M'lic  cnlliiiHijisin  of  tin;  first  term  iiensificd  went 
witii  lli(!  (Joll('g(;  to  its  lioiiie  in  ClanMnoni,  in  spite 

|!)l  1 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

of  the  crudeness  of  the  new  surroundings  there. 
It  is  a  matter  of  interest  psychologically  to  note 
the  apparent  obliviousness  of  students,  teachers 
and  friends  to  the  excessive  rawness,  unattrac- 
tiveness,  inconvenience,  and  absolute  hindrance 
to  good  work  found  in  this  new  home  in  a  literal 
wilderness.  Accustomed,  as  many  were,  to  all 
the  refinements  and  esthetic  surroundings  of  the 
highest  civilization,  no  one  seemed  to  think,  much 
less  to  speak,  of  the  trials  and  hardships  or  any 
of  the  unpleasant  experiences  thrust  upon  them. 
It  was  like  a  party  in  the  woods  preparing  a 
camp.  Every  one  was  looking  forward  to  the 
good  times  and  felt  a  measure  of  responsibility 
in  getting  all  in  readiness  for  the  future.  There 
was  no  shirking,  no  grumbling;  every  one  was  at 
his  best,  with  good  cheer  and  high  hopes.  It  was 
no  light  matter  to  be  making  precedents  for  the 
coming  institution.  All  aspired  to  have  a  part  in 
it,  and  every  one  assumed  that  every  other  one 
shared  in  the  aspiration.  The  absolute  oneness 
was  often  surprising;  it  embraced  trustees, 
teachers,  students,  housekeeper,  business  man- 
ager, accountant,  parents.  Mrs.  Buffington  and 
her  daughters,  Mrs.  Link,  Miss  Roberts,  Mr. 
Strobridge,  were — yes,  and  are — in  their  o^\ti 
minds  and  in  the  minds  of  others  as  much  a  part 
of  this  growing  institution  as  w^ere  and  are  the 
august  officials.  The  students  at  "Harmony 
Hall"  table  or  in  Sumner  Hall  dining-room,  at 

[92] 


PREPAEATORY  WORK 

''Sycamore  Lodge"  or  at  the  ''Bungalow,"  on 
the  playground  or  in  the  recitation  room,  all 
were  building  foundations,  forming  precedents; 
all  were  looking  for  great  things  to  come.  Crude- 
ness  must  be  overcome,  difficulties  surmounted, 
inconveniences  endured  by  teacher  and  taught. 
Better  days  were  coming.  "Lend  a  hand"  was 
the  motto. 

Self-imposed  fines  at  the  tables  or  on  the  play- 
grounds were  common  in  the  interests  of  hall  or 
parlor  or  athletic  field.  Volunteers  were  ready 
to  hang  paper  or  to  paint  floors,  to  pull  weeds, 
cut  cactus  or  pick  up  stones.  The  whole  institu- 
tion outside  and  inside  was  a  mutual  affair.  As 
one  after  another  of  teachers  or  friends  acquired 
homes  of  their  own,  near  or  more  remote,  these 
homes  and  hearths  were  very  like  common  prop- 
erty. On  Thanksgiving  and  other  holidays  the 
homes  were  filled,  the  college  hall  was  empty. 

An  integral  part  of  the  institution  for  several 
years  was  the  free  college  bus,  which  carried  pas- 
sengers to  and  from  Pomona  or  North  Pomona, 
as  the  case  might  be.  This  was  a  unique  affair. 
It  was  bought  at  second  hand  with  subscriptions 
secured  one  afternoon  in  Pomona.  The  College 
owned  only  one  horse;  a  second  was  borrowed, 
Homctimes  from  a  professor,  often  from  Mr. 
Thomas  Barrows.  The  professors'  horses  had 
been  bought  cheaply,  or  donated  by  kind  hearted 
porsouB  who  wiwhod  to  give  them  an  easy  old  age 

[93  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

because  they  had  been  worn  out  by  faithful  serv- 
ice and  were  more  or  less  spavined,  knock-kneed 
or  otherwise  ill-disposed  in  body  or  brain ;  so  the 
drivers  were  put  on  their  honor  to  handle  them 
wdth  care.  They  were  known  by  supposedly 
characteristic  names,  as  Earns,  Mephistopheles, 
Cleopatra,  Gladstone,  Bismarck;  and  the  arrival 
of  the  bus  was  heralded  by  the  names  of  the 
horses  attached,  and  was  a  great  event.  One 
well-authenticated  romance,  at  least,  is  connected 
with  the  bus. 

In  those  days,  so  seriously  looking  to  the  fu- 
ture, there  was  no  lack  of  fun,  whether  spontane- 
ous or  prearranged.  Some  of  the  teachers  were 
little  older  than  their  pupils,  and  they  mingled 
freely  together.  There  was  no  want  of  dignity, 
however,  neither  any  demand  for  dignity.  In- 
deed, all  the  most  serious  work  of  the  College 
was  entered  into  just  as  heartily  as  these  mat- 
ters of  minor  importance  to  the  college  life.  The 
first  class  realized  the  full  prominence  of  scholar- 
ship, and  with  the  other  undertakings  this  was 
not  neglected.  The  highest  standards  were 
maintained. 

One  of  the  first  college  organizations  was  the 
Christian  Association,  which  was  a  real  force 
from  the  outset,  a  good  preparation  for  the 
Young  Women's  Christian  Association  and 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  Then  two 
literary  societies  came  into  being,  one  of  them 


PREPARATORY  WORK 

having  a  printed  constitution  and  by-laws  the  first 
year.  The  Library  was  started  in  earnest,  and 
had  its  place,  with  some  hundreds  of  volumes  and 
a  librarian,  at  the  beginning  of  the  second  year. 
A  college  paper  was  published  in  1889,  brimful 
of  loyalty  and  inspiration  for  everything  good 
and  great;  and  every  one  was  expected  to,  and 
practically  every  one  did,  subscribe  for  it.  Nor 
did  athletics  lack  more  or  less  organization  and 
push  from  the  entire  student  body.  It  is  sug- 
gestive to  note  how  fully  every  one  recognized 
his  responsibility  for  each  function  and  each 
event.  Loyalty  demanded  each  one's  support 
and  presence  when  called  for,  whether  or  not 
he  was  personally  interested  in  the  particu- 
lar form  of  activity  and  whether  it  was  conven- 
ient or  inconvenient  for  him  to  give  it  his 
support. 

The  closing  exercises  of  the  first  year,  al- 
though only  two  or  three  college  students,  with 
the  pupils  of  the  first  and  second  years  of  the  pre- 
paratory school,  participated  in  them,  assumed 
tlie  importance  of  a  commencement.  Rev.  E.  E. 
P.  A])bott  gave  the  address.  There  was  a  prize 
debatf!,  and  every  one  was  present,  of  course, 
brouglit  friends,  and  remained  tliroiigh  tlie 
recef)tion. 

It  is  surprising  wliat  can  bo  accomplisliod  by  a 
few  persons  filled  willi  cniliUHiasm  and  living  in 
the  vision  of  a  giN'ai  fiilui'c.     In  addition  <(»  llie 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

activities  already  enumerated,  the  year  1889,  be- 
fore its  close,  produced  a  really  creditable  glee 
club,  which  gave  a  series  of  concerts.  Many  re- 
member "Romeo  and  Juliet,"  the  latter  repre- 
sented by  an  amazingly  deep  double  bass  voice, 
the  former  by  an  equally  delicate  falsetto.  The 
effect  was  convulsive.  Musical  receptions  were 
inaugurated,  and  a  high-grade  concert  was  given 
in  the  Pomona  Methodist  Church  in  the  interest 
of  the  Library. 

Early  in  its  history  Pomona  was  placed  upon 
the  list  of  the  Congregational  Education  Society 
— an  encouragement  and  stimulus  to  the  friends 
of  the  College. 

Another  event,  not  so  great  in  itself,  but  in  its 
spirit  and  timeliness  really  helpful,  was  the  pres- 
entation to  the  College  of  a  United  States  flag, 
with  a  happy  address,  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Holabird. 
The  gift  was  repeated  from  time  to  time,  and  the 
national  flag,  occasionally  alternating  with  the 
Pomona  pennant,  floated  on  the  breeze  above 
Holmes  Hall  nearly  every  day  of  the  college  sea- 
son for  twenty  years,  until  the  class  of  1911, 
through  the  Kerckhoff-Cuzner  Lumber  Company, 
presented  a  very  fine,  tall  pole  which  was  planted 
in  the  midst  of  the  campus;  and  when  it  was 
raised  Mr.  Holabird  yet  again  appeared  with  an 
elegant  flag,  and  thrilled  every  one  in  the  audi- 
ence gathered  to  receive  it  with  his  ardent  patriot- 
ism.    Such  gifts  are  appreciated  by  students  and 

[96] 


PREPARATORY  WORK 

friends,  and  who  shall  say  how  much  they  con- 
tribute to  loyalty  and  good  citizenship? 

The  work  of  willing  hearts  and  willing  hands  in 
the  transforming  and  beautifying  of  the  college 
campus  was  facilitated  during  the  first  term  at 
Claremont  by  the  observance  of  the  22d  day  of 
February  as  Arbor  Day.  Invitations  were  sent 
out  by  the  students  and  by  letter  to  those  living 
in  the  vicinity,  and  a  surprisingly  large  concourse 
of  people  assembled  on  the  grounds  in  the  morn- 
ing, each  one  bringing  a  contribution  of  trees, 
shrubs  or  plants,  ready  for  setting  out  or  already 
potted.  Tools  were  at  hand,  and  all  engaged  in 
the  w^ork  of  planting  in  accordance  with  plans  al- 
ready prepared.  Many  trees  were  memorials; 
some  represented  families  or  organizations;  two 
or  three  were  planted  with  special  exercises.  At 
noon  all  partook  of  a  basket  lunch,  after  which, 
assembled  in  front  of  the  Sumner  Hall  porch,  the 
company  listened  to  inspiring  addresses.  Presi- 
dent S.  C.  Bartlett,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  of  Dartmouth 
College,  drew  a  vivid  picture  of  contrast  between 
this  scene  in  midwinter  under  sunny  skies  and  in 
the  midst  of  orange  groves,  and  the  first  winter  at 
Dartmouth,  in  the  (]oo\)  snows  and  primeval  for- 
(;stH  of  New  Ilainpshirc.  i'residcnt  ,1.  W.  Strong, 
D.D.,  UjA).,  of  Carleton  College,  told  of  \\\o  ho- 
giniiingH  of  his  college;  on  llic  pi'jiirics  of  Miiiiio- 
sola  in  tli<;  eai'ly  (lays  of  their  settleinent.  X'cry 
many  of  tiie  trees,  shrubs  and  vines  planted  at  Po- 

[97] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

mona  that  clay  have  never  been  disturbed,  and  by 
constant  care  have  grown  so  as  to  give  the  beauti- 
ful surroundings  of  Sumner  Hall  at  the  present 
time. 

The  anniversary  exercises  of  the  second  year 
were  marked  by  the  annual  sermon,  which  was 
preached  by  Rev.  L.  P.  Voorhees  at  Pilgrim 
Church,  Pomona,  and  by  the  anniversary  address, 
which  was  delivered  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Currier,  D.D. 

The  advent  of  the  first  college  president  was  an 
event  of  supreme  importance  at  this  time,  and  a 
new  dignity  was  given  to  the  institution  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  third  year  by  the  formation  of  a 
freshman  college  class  of  seventeen,  in  addition 
to  the  three  well-filled  preparatory  classes.  The 
days  of  childhood  were  fast  passing  away;  the 
days  of  the  larger,  fuller  life  were  dawning.  The 
first  really  organized  college  class  quickly  took  on 
itself  the  heavy  responsibility  of  making  prece- 
dents for  the  great  institution  yet  to  be,  and  for 
unnumbered  years  to  come.  Many  were  the  in- 
quiries about  other  institutions,  and  serious  con- 
ferences were  held  as  to  what  was  fitting  and 
wdiat  was  not  fitting,  Avhat  of  the  past  should  be 
preserved,  what  should  be  abandoned,  and  what 
made  over  to  suit  the  new  conditions.  The  Po- 
mona College  Literary  Society  at  once  became  a 
college  society.  The  "Pomona  Student"  took  on 
a  new  importance.  It  became  the  ' '  Student  Life 
of  Pomona  College. ' '    An  athletic  association  was 

[98] 


PREPAEATORY  WORK 

fully  organized,  Field  Day  was  established,  and 
intercollegiate  relations  were  entered  into. 

With  these  changes  began  to  grow  up  a  sepa- 
ration of  the  College  from  the  Preparatory  De- 
partment. It  seemed  not  fitting  that  college  stu- 
dents should  be  subject  to  the  same  restraints  as 
young  preparatory  pupils.  A  ten  o'clock  retire- 
ing  rule,  with  other  restrictions,  was  irksome. 
Many  were  the  discussions  among  students  and 
faculty,  in  the  attempt  to  find  the  true  mean,  best 
for  the  College. 

Right  here  is  suggested  an  important  fact  his- 
torically in  the  development  of  the  distinguishing 
personality  of  Pomona.  She  had  a  prenatal  life ; 
also  forbears  and  progenitors,  as  has  been  seen. 
But,  more  than  that,  she  was  not  born  a  full- 
fledged  college.  For  two  years  she  was  being  ed- 
ucated up  to  the  college  life.  Seven  of  the  first 
class  to  graduate,  and  the  nucleus  of  every  class 
for  twenty  years,  were  prepared  for  college  by 
her.  The  college  teachers  were  the  preparatory 
teachers.  They  had  the  training  of  these  boys 
and  girls  during  a  preparatory  period  of  from 
two  to  four  years,  before  they  took  up  college 
work.  No  one  will  (jucstion  that  this  ('X[)crionco 
had  something  to  do  witli  the  development  of  Po- 
mona's character.  It  had  to  do  with  the  making 
and  the  forming  of  early  traditions,  [ind  with  the 
hold  of  these  traditions  on  the  early  alumni. 

Consider,  for  instance,  Pomona's  tradition  of  a 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

faculty-college — *'No  autocrat,  but  one  voice 
among  many. ' '  The  fact  that  this  tradition  goes 
back  to  the  almost  exclusively  preparatory  clays 
when  the  schoolmaster  was  supposed  to  reign — 
when  there  was  not  only  no  president,  but  the 
principal  of  the  Preparatory  Department,  even  if 
he  had  wished  it,  was  not  allowed  autocratic 
power — gives  it  particular  force  with  faculty  and 
alumni  and  outside  friends.  Nothing  is  resented 
more  quickly  than  the  least  tendency  to  treat  the 
members  of  the  faculty  as  ''hired  men."  Are 
they  not  a  part  of  the  College?  Their  hearts  are 
in  it.  Many  of  them  have  suffered  for  it,  given 
of  their  substance,  of  themselves,  to  it;  they  are 
builded  into  it.  Others  quickly  kindle  with  the 
same  enthusiasm. 

This  is  equally  true  of  the  Christian  phase  of 
college  life.  It  was  born  in  it  and  has  been  bred 
into  it  in  the  days  of  childhood  and  trial  and 
struggle  for  dear  life.  Without  it  there  had  been 
no  Pomona.  Neither  can  there  be  Pomona  with- 
out it. 

The  college  chapter.  First  Corinthians  13,  and 
the  college  hymn,  *'How  Firm  a  Foundation," 
have  become  endeared  to  the  great  body  of  the 
alumni  by  an  experience  of  four,  six,  seven,  or 
even  eight  years.  In  like  manner  ''The  Heavens 
Declare  the  Glory  of  God"  and  "The  Spacious 
Firmament  on  High ' '  will  always  call  to  mind 
Pomona's  astronomer..  Thus  among  the. coUege 

[100] 


PREPARATOEY  WORK 

traditions  are  many  that  are  rooted  back  in  pre- 
college  days;  others  grew  up  later,  during  the 
days  of  the  Preparatory  Department;  all  tended 
to  bind  the  earlier  alumni  together  with  firmer 
and  more  enduring  bonds.  Far  from  decrying 
the  past  in  entering  upon  the  actual  college  life, 
the  ''Student  Life"  is  found  urging  on  prepara- 
tory and  college  students  alike  love  and  loyalty 
''as  an  important  part  of  true  college  spirit,"  and 
quoting  the  familiar  testimony  of  Daniel  Web- 
ster's love  for  Dartmouth  College,  his  Alma 
Mater:  "This  is,  sirs,  a  small  institution.  It  is 
one  of  the  lesser  lights  of  this  broad  land ;  and  yet 
there  are  those  who  love  it." 

It  was  in  1896  that  the  three  years  of  prepara- 
tory study  gave  place  to  the  four  years '  course  as 
the  requirement  for  admission  to  the  College. 

In  1907-08,  when  the  establishment  of  a  high 
school  in  Claremont  was  contemplated,  a  commit- 
tee of  the  college  faculty  conferred  with  the  city 
school  board,  and  it  was  agreed  to  open  the  high 
school  for  the  first  year's  course  of  study  onlj'-, 
and  to  increase;  the  course  one  year  at  a  tune, 
Pomona  dropping  the  successive  y(>ars  of  the  pre- 
paratory course  accordingly.  Rut  wlien  the  liigli 
Kcliool  was  ()f)ened  tlie  demand  came  for  the  re- 
c(!f)tion  of  11h!  four  clnascs  at  once,  and  llie  law 
(!()irip('II('(l  ('onipiiiincc  witli  llic  (IciiiiiikI.  TIkm'c- 
Cor*!  romoiiM  ceased  to  iaivc  new  |ui|)ils  for  ])r(»- 
paratory  work,  caring  tiienccil'ortli  only  for  those 

[101] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

who  had  already  entered  the  course  and  wished  to 
complete  it. 

The  discontinuance  of  the  preparatory  work 
was  objected  to  by  some  of  the  friends  of  the  Col- 
lege, but  all  in  all  it  seemed  the  wise  action,  and 
was  definitely  determined  before  the  city  took 
steps  to  establish  a  high  school.  The  complete- 
ness of  the  state  provision  for  high  schools,  and 
the  character  of  the  work  required  in  these 
schools,  was  such  that  little  occasion  remained  for 
a  college  prej^aratory  department.  Then,  too, 
the  presence  of  preparatory  students  in  the  same 
institution  is  felt  by  many  to  be  a  drawback,  and 
is  resented  by  the  great  body  of  college  students. 
The  College  made  a  strong  advance  in  numbers 
immediately  after  the  preparatory  school  was 
finally  dropped.  The  absence  of  these  younger 
pupils,  perhaps  especially  in  a  coeducational 
school,  simplifies  a  great  many  problems  which 
come  before  a  college  faculty. 


[102] 


CHAPTER  VIII 

MUSIC  AND  ART 

It  is  embarrassing  in  these  later  days  to  sepa- 
rate two  esthetic  studies  from  the  general  curric- 
ulum of  a  cultural  college  and  treat  them  by 
themselves.  And  yet  there  are  reasons  for  such 
a  separation  in  this  history.  It  is  onlj^  in  recent 
years  that  these  studies  have  been  introduced  into 
the  curriculum  of  the  first-class  college.  Even 
now  some  colleges  which  claim  to  be  first-class 
make  no  general  provision  for  them.  Indeed,  few 
academic  courses  require  any  considerable 
amount  of  either  music  or  art.  For  the  most  part 
these  subjects  in  the  past,  if  taken  at  all,  have 
been  regarded  as  extras,  and  optional ;  if  desired, 
to  be  applied  for  and  paid  for.  The  teachers  in 
these  departments  have  not  been  graded  as  other 
teachers  are  graded. 

From  tlio  outset  Pomona  has  considered  both 
music  and  art  as  important  to  true  culture,  and 
has  mad(;  tlicrn  accessibh;  to  lier  students.  \'ery 
early  kIh;  made;  certain  work  in  these  branches 
free  to  those  who  chose  to  engage  in  it.  More 
than  this,  she;  has  sought  by  various  nu^thods  to 
cultivate;  tin;  taste;  in  both  directions.  At  llio 
HairK!  time  slie  did  not  venture  to  put  nuicli,  if  any, 

[KKIJ 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

money  into  these  departments.  They  must  sup- 
port themselves  in  large  measure.  They  were 
not  in  the  curriculum  in  the  same  sense  as  mathe- 
matics and  the  languages.  Pomona's  action  was 
based  on  the  theory  that  they  were  important,  but 
not  essential.  There  has  been,  however,  during 
this  last  quarter-century  a  steadily-growing  sense 
of  their  value,  and  more  willingness  to  give  them 
a  place.  This  growing  prominence,  due  in  part 
to  the  general  trend,  and  in  part  to  the  marked 
development  of  these  branches  of  study  in  the 
immediate  surroundings,  is  a  matter  of  educa- 
tional interest.  It  is  the  story  at  Pomona  of  the 
incorporation  of  two  esthetic  departments  into 
the  body  of  a  cultural  college.  The  various  stages 
of  progress  invite  special  attention. 

Music 
Vocal  and  instrumental  teachers  for  private 
pupils  have  always  been  provided.  This  has 
given  music  a  part  in  the  college  life.  It  never 
has  been  wanting,  and  at  times  has  been  a  recog- 
nized force.  The  Choral  Union,  designed  to  give 
wide  instruction  in  the  best  of  music,  was  formed 
during  the  second  year  of  Pomona's  existence. 
This  organization,  open  to  all  and  under  the  di- 
rection of  a  leader,  insists  on  the  thorough  mas- 
tery of  the  best  oratorios  and  other  choral  music. 
With  the  aid  of  trained  singers  available  in  the 
region,  and  a  trained  orchestra,  it  gives  concerts 

[104] 


MUSIC  AND  ART 

once,  twice  or  three  times  annually.  These  fa- 
miliarize the  student  body  and  community  with 
good  music  and  bring  before  them  expert  per- 
formers, vocal  and  instrumental.  By  reason  of 
this  educational  process  the  very  best  music 
comes  to  be  sought  and  obtained  on  occasion ;  in- 
deed the  occasion  is  frequently  made  for  it,  and 
the  education  goes  steadily  on. 

Few  students  in  the  regular  courses  fail  to  ac- 
quire some  taste  for  and  appreciation  of  fine  mu- 
sic. By  far  the  greater  number  learn  to  take 
some  part,  with  others,  in  rendering  it.  The  mu- 
sic in  the  daily  chapel  service  and  in  the  Sunday 
services,  emphatically  in  the  training  of  the 
Church  Choir, — a  large  chorus, — helps  the  proc- 
ess. The  Men's  Glee  Club,  too,  one  of  the  early 
organizations,  which  continues  to  the  present  day, 
by  its  very  thorough  drill,  high  ideals  and  widely- 
extended  practice,  is  a  further  uplift  in  this  direc- 
tion. A  part  of  the  time  a  Women's  Glee  Club 
has  done  a  similar  work.  Class  recitals  and  lec- 
tures have  been  helpful. 

Professor  Brackett,  with  his  fine,  sympathetic 
voice,  drilled  the  Choral  Union  and  the  Glee  Club 
i'or  tlircc  or  four  years.  Professor  Bissell,  flie 
musical  g(!niuH  of  the  faculty,  wlio  also  supple- 
mented tin;  Music  l)(!partment  for  a  time  as  leader 
of  the  (Jhorai  Union  and  the  Glee  Club  and  as 
voice  trairuM',  and  oilier  inem])ers  of  tlic  faculty, 
have  b(*en  an  (Mlucativf!  \\)vcv.  in  addition  to  llio 

[  105  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

regular  teachers  of  rausic.  Miss  Caldwell  (now 
Mrs.  Smith),  Miss  Fitch,  Mr.  Brannan  with  his 
charming  violin,  and  Mrs.  Brannan  with  her  con- 
scientious and  indefatigable  piano  work,  did  good 
service  in  that  department. 

Then  came  John  Comfort  Fillmore,  M.A.,  to  be 
the  head  of  the  Music  Department,  and  instructor 
in  piano-playing,  harmony,  counterpoint,  compo- 
sition and  the  history  of  music.  Here  was  a 
great  accession  to  the  music  force.  Mr.  Fillmore 
was  an  educated  man,  a  scholar  and  author  of 
repute,  and  an  investigator.  He  had  been  for 
tw^elve  years  the  director  of  the  Milwaukee  School 
of  Music.  His  ''History  of  the  Piano-forte"  and 
''Folk  Music"  are  of  recognized  worth.  In  his 
study  of  Indian  music  he  did  original  work  of 
permanent  value.  His  commanding  ability, 
broad  culture  and  unceasing  fidelity,  manifest  in 
his  teaching  and  lectures  at  Pomona  and  in  the 
vicinity,  made  his  influence  strong  and  of  far- 
reaching  character.  Music  became  more  than  an 
accomplishment;  he  lifted  it  into  a  broad  and 
honorable  profession.  Music  has  meant  more  to 
the  College  because  of  Mr.  Fillmore.  "Student 
Life"  says  of  him:  "The  death  of  Professor 
Fillmore  is  an  irreparable  loss  not  only  to  Po- 
mona College  but  to  all  scholarly  attainment  and 
culture.  It  is  doubtful  if  there  is  another  who 
can  take  his  place  in  the  study  and  research  of 
aboriginal  music.     But  especially  severe  is  the 

[106] 


MUSIC  AND  AET 

loss  to  Pomona,  where,  as  director  of  music  for 
the  past  three  years,  Professor  Fillmore  has  held 
the  esteem  and  love  of  every  student.  We  hon- 
ored him  for  his  great  ability,  we  were  proud  of 
his  reputation;  but  we  loved  him  for  his  great 
heart.  We  were  cheered  by  the  bright  sunshine 
of  his  character;  we  were  cheered  by  his  little 
acts  of  kindness." 

A  fine  portrait  of  Mr.  Fillmore  was  presented 
to  the  College  by  the  class  of  1899,  with  a  happy 
address  by  Mr,  C.  F.  Lummis  of  Los  Angeles,  a 
personal  friend. 

Not  the  least  of  Mr.  Fillmore's  services  was  in 
the  securing  of  able  assistants.  The  Jennison 
brothers,  instructors  in  violin  and  violincello,  are 
instances,  Mr.  Samuel  Wellington  Jennison  teach- 
ing in  1898-99,  and  Mr.  Paul  Jennison  from  1899 
to  1907.  They  were  rare  teachers  as  well  as  de- 
lightful performers.  Their  connection  with  the 
College  for  nine  years  was  constantly  inspiring 
and  uplifting. 

Mrs.  Kvangcliuc  White  Ilardon,  niece  and  as- 
sistant of  Mr.  Fillmore,  continued  most  accept- 
ably as  instructor  in  voice  for  three  years  after 
his  (h^ath. 

Up  to  this  time  the  management  and  control  of 
the  Htudenis  and  tlu^  finjiiiccs  of  iiic  Musi(^  De- 
partment li;i<l  Ix'cn  in  llic  li.'inds  of  liic  iiciid  of 
that  department,  lint  now  IIk^  nnisic  tcaclKTs 
wen;  placMtd  on  iiie  Hanic  basis  as  oHkm-  nuMiibcrs 

I  107  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

of  the  faculty.  This  was  a  step  in  advance,  and 
indicated  a  changed  attitude  toward  the  Music 
Department.  Music  had  become  an  integral  part 
of  the  college  work.  It  was  rated  on  an  equality 
with  other  studies. 

Mr.  Dwight  Chapman  Rice,  a  graduate  of  Ober- 
lin  College  and  instructor  in  music  there,  and 
later  for  several  j^ears  head  of  the  Music  De- 
IDartment  at  Carleton  College,  followed  Mr.  Fill- 
more and  gave  excellent  satisfaction  in  the 
department  of  the  piano.  He  was  respected  and 
beloved  as  a  man  and  as  a  teacher.  He  continued 
with  the  work  for  three  years,  and  resigned  to 
take  charge  of  the  music  at  Occidental  College. 

Mr.  William  Irving  Andruss,  B.A.,  was  direc- 
tor for  one  year,  and  Mr.  Theodore  John  Irwin 
followed  for  one  year  as  director,  continuing  for 
two  years  more  as  instructor  in  piano,  harmony 
and  history  of  music. 

During  this  period  Miss  Kate  Condit  (Mrs.  S. 
J.  Brimhall,  deceased)  came  to  the  College  as  in- 
structor in  piano  and  voice,  and  did  some  teach- 
ing in  German.  For  ten  j'Cars  Miss  Condit 
served  the  College  most  faithfully  and  most  sat- 
isfactorily. No  one  in  the  history  of  Claremont 
has  been  called  upon  so  frequently  during  so  long 
a  period  to  serve  the  College  and  the  community 
as  an  accompanist  or  in  playing  alone  for  enter- 
tainment. No  one  could  have  served  more  cheer- 
fully, and  few  so  satisfactorily. 

[108] 


MUSIC  AND  AET 

In  1902  Mr.  Fred  A.  Bacon  of  Los  Angeles 
came  to  Claremont  several  times  a  week  as  in- 
structor in  voice.  The  next  year  he  was  made 
director  of  music,  and  still  retains  that  position. 
Mr.  Bacon's  coming  marked  another  era  in  the 
history  of  the  Music  Department.  He  brought 
with  him  a  high  reputation  as  instructor  and 
as  choral  leader.  His  presence  gave  confidence 
and  inspiration.  The  whole  department  assumed 
new  life  and  efficiency.  The  choral  work  at- 
tracted attention  far  and  near.  The  rendering 
of  the  famous  oratorios  drew  large  and  apprecia- 
tive audiences.  Special  trains  brought  music- 
lovers  from  other  cities  to  enjoy  these  concerts. 
Through  his  wide  acquaintance  Mr.  Bacon  was 
enabled  to  secure  excellent  musicians  as  instruc- 
tors in  his  department  and  as  soloists  for  the  ora- 
torios. In  form  and  in  fact  music  has  become  a 
recognized  power  in  student  life.  The  frequent 
recitals  of  pupils  and  teachers  are  attractive. 
The  occasional  faculty  recitals  are  a  real  treat  to 
lovers  of  music,  and  are  of  educational  value.  In 
1912  Mr.  Bacon  was  made  professor  of  applied 
music. 

Mr.  Bacon  has  had  notable  assistants.  Some  of 
them  have  been  great  favorites  on  the  platform, 
and  their  solos  in  the  oratorios  have  never  been 
surpassed  in  Claremont.  Mr.  Robert  Marl  in 
Staples,  who  came  as  instructor  in  violin  in  11)1)7, 
had  thou  a  superior  touch,  and  he  has  improved 

[100  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

with  each  year  since.  In  the  summer  of  1912  he 
had  the  very  best  instruction  Germany  could  give 
him,  and  pupils  and  audience  alike  feel  the  signifi- 
cance of  his  new  inspiration.  Mr.  Staples  com- 
mands a  place  in  the  front  rank  of  violinists.  His 
profound  interest  in  music,  and  his  indefatiga- 
ble industry,  promise  much  to  his  growing 
reputation. 

For  a  number  of  years  Mrs.  Ida  Blakeslee  as 
pianist  was  a  successful  teacher  and  well  received 
in  public.  She  was  recognized  as  an  artist,  and 
also  as  a  noble  Christian  woman.  Her  with- 
drawal from  the  College,  and  subsequent  illness, 
touched  the  community  deeply  and  awakened  pro- 
found sympathy  for  herself  and  her  family.  In 
her  death  not  only  her  relatives,  but  her  former 
pupils  and  a  wide  circle  of  other  friends  met  with 
a  personal  loss. 

Mr.  Alfred  Applin  Butler  came  as  instructor  in 
organ,  piano  and  theory  in  1908.  His  musical 
ability  and  technique  have  made  him  an  inspiring 
teacher.  As  a  performer  he  ranks  high.  His 
musical  perception  and  feeling  enable  him  to  con- 
strue the  best  music  with  fine  effect.  It  was  with 
regret  that  his  resignation  was  accepted  in  1913. 

The  ^'Metate"  of  the  class  of  1912  gives  the 
judgment  of  the  student  body  in  the  matter  of  mu- 
sic: "The  enthusiasm  and  active  interest  which 
have  been  apparent  in  every  branch  of  this  depart- 
ment, Jjave  been  effective  in  completing  another 

[110] 


MUSIC  AND  AET 

successful  year  for  the  school  of  music.  Fre- 
quent recitals  have  been  given,  the  plan  being 
followed  of  having  each  teacher  present  his  own 
pupils  in  a  distinct  recital.  During  the  second 
semester  a  series  of  organ  recitals  has  been  given 
by  Professor  Butler,  the  proceeds  to  go  towards 
the  purchase  of  a  new  organ  for  the  chapel.  The 
Choral  Union  is  one  evidence  of  the  efficiency  of 
the  school  of  music.  The  chorus  of  eighty  voices 
under  the  direction  of  Professor  Bacon,  and  as- 
sisted by  the  orchestra  with  Mr.  Staples  as  con- 
cert master,  is  continuing  to  raise  the  standard  of 
excellence  with  every  concert." 

From  time  to  time  the  College  has  had  earnest 
advocates  of  a  strong,  independent  conservatory 
for  the  study  of  music  only,  as  well  as  to  constitute 
a  part  of  the  regular  cultural  course.  On  the 
whole,  however,  the  prevailing  opinion  seems  to 
be  that,  like  every  other  department,  this  should 
aim  solely  to  be  a  component  part  of  a  college  for 
cultural  discipline.  President  Blaisdell  says: 
''Music  and  artistic  appreciation  are  evidently  to 
liave  greatly  increased  place  in  America,  and  per- 
haps especially  in  our  own  locality.  The  nature 
which  is  nnof)eiK'd  on  tliesc  sides  will  ho  more  and 
more  sadly  provincial,  in  tliis  view  of  the  situa- 
tion, the  resources  offered  in  these  lines  are  part 
of  tlu!  uni(|iH^  o[)f)orlunily  of  Pomona  (^illcge. 
Tha  coidial  ('(xifxTution  of  the  oHicials  of  the 
school  with  th(!  college;  ideal  is  most  [)ronounced. 

[Ill  I 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

On  the  other  hand  it  seems  to  me  that  the  music 
school  should  be  consistently  conceived  of  as  ex- 
isting wholly  to  contribute  its  part  to  the  cultural 
life  of  the  College,  thus  maintaining  here  and  else- 
where the  initial  intent  of  the  institution. ' ' 

It  is  a  matter  of  supreme  congratulation  that 
Pomona  is  to  have,  as  soon  as  the  work  can  be 
completed,  one  of  the  finest  music  halls  in  the 
country  for  study  in  the  different  lines  of  music. 
It  will  contain  in  addition  to  rooms  for  instruc- 
tion and  for  practice  an  elegant  audience  room 
adapted  at  once  for  a  larger  or  a  smaller  audience, 
and  provided  with  a  fine  pipe  organ  and  all 
needed  stage  equipments.  Arrangements  are  to 
be  made  for  the  most  approved  systems  of  light- 
ing, heating  and  ventilating,  and  the  architecture 
without  and  within  is  to  be  rich  and  appropriate. 

This  building  is  the  gift  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  S. 
Bridges  as  a  memorial  of  their  daughter,  Mabel 
Shaw  Bridges,  a  greatly  loved  and  equally  es- 
teemed member  of  the  class  of  1908,  who  died  in 
her  junior  year,  May  14,  1907,  having  spent,  as 
she  said,  *'the  happiest  years  of  my  life  at 
Pomona." 

Art 

Miss  Coribel  Stites  was  Pomona's  first  teacher 
in  art.  But  little  was  done  in  that  department, 
however,  except  in  the  case  of  a  few  special  stu- 
dents, until  1893,  when  Mrs.  L.  E.  Garden-Mac- 
leod,  a  graduate  of  the  Kensington  School  of  Art 

[112] 


MUSIC  AND  ART 

and  Design,  London,  and  founder  and  principal 
of  the  Los  Angeles  School  of  Art  and  Design, 
opened  a  branch  of  the  latter  institution  at  Po- 
mona College.  This  arrangement  was  brought 
about  by  Mrs.  F.  P.  Brackett,  who  had  studied 
with  Mrs.  Macleod  and  was  impressed  with  her 
ability  and  her  proficiency  as  a  teacher.  She 
consented  to  come  to  Claremont  once  a  week  pro- 
vided she  should  have  a  class  of  at  least  ten  stu- 
dents in  art.  This  number  was  secured  and 
maintained  by  the  efforts  of  Mrs.  Brackett  for  a 
series  of  years,  until  other  arrangements  could  be 
made. 

For  twelve  years  Mrs.  Macleod  came  regularly 
and  attended  to  her  classes,  with  increasing  in- 
terest and  efficiency.  At  the  end  of  that  period  it 
was  felt  necessary  to  employ  a  resident  teacher, 
that  daily  instruction  might  be  offered,  and  Mrs. 
Macleod  gave  place  to  Mrs.  Hannah  Tempest 
Jenkins.  The  Department  and  the  College  owe 
to  Mrs.  Macleod  a  debt  of  gratitude  which  never 
can  be  paid,  for  the  thoroughness  and  excellence 
of  her  work.  With  her  natural  ability,  sterling 
character,  and  completeness  as  a  teacher,  added 
to  a  deep  enthusiasm  for  her  work,  she  placed  the 
Departm(int  on  a  strong  foundation  for  future 
development. 

The  coming  of  Mrs.  Jenkins  to  give  her  whole 
time  and  tlionghi  to  the  Art  Department  consti- 
tuted an   iiMportuui  <'V<'iit   in  its  history.       Siio 

[1j:;j 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

had  received  the  best  of  training  and  had  enjoyed 
unusual  opportunities.  She  was  an  experienced 
teacher,  and  brought  the  highest  testimonials 
from  Eastern  art  schools.  Her  appreciation  and 
love  of  art  and  her  unbounded  enthusiasm  were 
contagious.  She  appealed  to  the  students,  and 
to  lovers  of  art  outside  the  College.  The  classes 
grew  in  numbers  and  in  interest.  The  effect  was 
electric  in  College  and  community.  All  who  were 
interested  in  art,  if  they  could  not  go  to  her  class- 
room, visited  her  exhibitions  and  were  attentive 
listeners  to  her  occasional  lectures,  which  were 
given  principally  to  the  student  body.  The  good 
work  was  quickly  apparent  at  her  art  rooms, 
where  some  of  her  own  productions,  and  occasion- 
ally borrowed  pictures,  were  sho^vTi,  as  well  as  the 
work  of  pupils.  Soon  the  Rembrandt  Club  was 
formed,  with  regular  and  frequent  meetings  at 
which  excellent  papers  were  read  and  discussed. 
The  Club  has  grown  to  over  a  hundred  members, 
and  has  contributed  largely  to  the  interest  in  and 
knowledge  of  art  and  its  historic  development. 
This  widespread  interest  has  brought  many  art 
helps  and  treasures,  some  of  great  value,  and  al- 
ready the  collection  calls  for  a  convenient  and 
safe  place  where  it  may  serve  its  purposes.  Thus 
the  need  has  developed  for  an  art  hall,  and  about 
fifteen  thousand  dollars  has  been  raised  and  ex- 
pended in  erecting  a  section  of  such  a  building, 
named  "Rembrandt  Hall." 

[114] 


MUSIC  AND  ART 

Mrs.  Jenkins  spent  her  sabbatical  year,  1912-13, 
in  Japan  and  China,  where  she  enjoyed  an  un- 
usual and  fruitful  experience.  She  has  been  en- 
abled to  secure  some  especially  choice  and 
valuable  treasures  from  Japan.  Miss  Sherrill, 
previously  her  assistant,  a  young  woman  of  rare 
artistic  ability  who  has  done  very  creditable  work, 
took  Mrs.  Jenkins '  place  satisfactorily  during  her 
absence. 

Mrs.  Jenkins'  work  has  followed  the  general 
methods  of  Mrs.  Macleod,  and  has  brought  the 
Department  into  still  closer  union  with  the  Col- 
lege. The  lectures,  not  only  of  the  head  of  the  De- 
partment, but  also  of  others  as  they  are  available, 
together  with  the  art  exhibits,  bring  the  subject 
constantly  before  the  student  body,  and  few  in- 
deed fail  to  receive  something  of  its  cultural 
effect. 


[115] 


CHAPTER  IX 

CLAREMONT 

With  the  coming  of  the  Santa  Fe  line  of  rail- 
road to  Los  Angeles,  in  1887,  very  many  town 
sites  were  located  in  anticipation  of  an  immense 
population  that  should  fill  the  valley  from  Los 
Angeles  to  Redlands  and  from  the  mountains  to 
the  sea.  Neither  the  number  of  these  town  sites 
nor  their  location  seemed  to  have  been  deter- 
mined by  present  or  prospective  demands  of  busi- 
ness or  convenience;  the  laying  out  of  the  land 
w^as  rather  a  matter  of  speculation,  pure  and  sim- 
ple. If  to  the  climatic  attraction  could  be  added, 
as  in  the  case  of  Claremont,  scenic  beauties  of 
mountain  and  valley,  these  w^ere  expected  to  con- 
tribute to  the  success  of  the  venture.  This  valley 
fairly  represented  nearly  all  of  Southern 
California. 

Many  an  onlooker  felt  that  the  people  had  lost 
the  capacity  for  reason  and  sound  judgment.  A 
successful  real-estate  dealer  was  asked:  ''What 
ground  have  you  for  expecting  such  hosts  of 
people  to  come  to  Southern  California  as  you  are 
preparing  for  in  city  and  country  I  You  are  plan- 
ning for  millions  to  settle  at  once  along  this  valley 
and  on  the  coast.    What  are  they  all  going  to  do? 


CLAEEMONT 

You  have  no  manufactures  in  prospect,  no  employ- 
ment for  those  without  ranches,  save  the  soil  to 
cultivate  on  these  little  to"WTi  and  city  lots.  These 
men,  women  and  children,  at  least  most  of  them, 
provided  they  come,  must  have  employment. 
How  are  they  to  live  without  it?" 

The  reply  was:  *' There  are  plenty  of  people 
in  the  East  who  do  not  need  to  work  for  a  living 
and  who  wish  to  live  in  this  climate,  to  occupy  all 
the  space  that  we  can  provide  for  them."  This 
man  was  honest  in  his  conclusions.  He  did  not 
stop  to  think  further  of  the  necessity  of  work 
even  to  the  maintenance  of  civilization.  Such 
reasoning  was  general.  Men  risked  their  money 
on  it.  They  would  start  a  new  village,  or  add  to 
the  one  already  established,  expecting  to  sell  lots 
without  reference  to  business  considerations.  In- 
deed thousands  of  such  lots  were  sold,  some  to 
local  residents,  some  to  persons  whose  homes 
were  far  removed  from  the  State,  and  even  from 
this  coast. 

The  immediate  result  of  the  sale  of  so  many 
city  and  village  lots  was  disastrous  to  a  very 
large  number  of  persons.  Nevertheless  the  ulti- 
mate b(!iH'fit  to  Soutli(M'ii  Calirornia  from  the  en- 
suing conditions  is  no  longer  a  matter  of  question. 
The  developnuint  lias  been,  both  in  extent  and 
charact(jr,  truly  marvelous.  One  is  inclined  to 
think  tli(^  i-cliaiHM!  on  future  growth  was  justified; 
but    the    fullillMicut    of    expectalious    ciuilidi'iitly 

L117] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

cherished  was  long  delayed,  and  the  consequent 
loss  and  suffering  were  great. 

It  is  interesting  historically  to  note  the  work- 
ings of  this  movement,  and  the  motive  behind  it. 
There  is  little  question  that  the  real  motive  in 
most  cases  was  money-making,  although  the  ap- 
parent motive  was  often  loyalty  to  local  develop- 
ment, or  was  even  philanthropic  in  its  character. 
The  plan  adopted  was  not  always  the  same,  but 
in  general  was  something  as  follows :  A  small 
number  of  persons,  usually  one  or  more  of  them 
having  interests  involved,  formed  a  company  or 
corporation,  secured  options  on  sufficient  land  for 
a  city  of  a  few  thousand  people,  obtained  assur- 
ance of  a  railroad  station  with  more  or  less  elab- 
orate buildings,  provided  for  a  hotel,  either  built 
or  moved  upon  the  grounds  a  cheap  house  or  two, 
and  then  advertised  widely  an  auction  sale  of 
town  lots,  secured  reduced  rates  of  fare  for  the 
day,  and  provided  a  free  luncheon  and  a  band  of 
music.  A  crowd  was  sure  to  be  in  attendance. 
Indeed,  a  line  of  would-be  purchasers  was  often 
formed  hours  beforehand;  in  one  case  at  least 
they  stood  in  line  all  night,  hoping  to  secure  ad- 
vantage in  the  earlier  choice  of  lots. 

Sometimes  a  large  number  of  sales  was  made 
in  one  of  these  paper  to\\ms,  and  the  lots  were 
selected  and  paid  for  at  prices  which  are  now 
ruling  in  cities  of  five  or  even  ten  thousand  inhab- 
itants.   Every  purchaser  was  a  speculator,  and 

[  118  ] 


CLAREMONT 

frequently  lots  were  resold  at  an  advance  before 
the  buyer  left  the  grounds.  Lots  not  sold  at  auc- 
tion were  disposed  of  at  private  sale,  and  the  orig- 
inal proprietors  made  money,  if  no  one  else  did. 
A  year  or  two  later,  in  many  cases,  these  lots 
could  hardly  be  given  away.  In  other  cases  the 
present  owners  refuse  to  sell  today  under  any 
consideration  unless  paid  the  amount  of  the  orig- 
inal investment,  with  compound  interest  to  date, 
although  the  price  ruling  for  adjacent  lots  is  even 
less  than  the  amount  primarily  paid. 

There  were  drawbacks  connected  with  villages 
laid  out  in  this  manner  and  with  the  ruling  motive 
of  money-making.  The  building  lots  were  gen- 
erally fifty  by  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet.  Lots 
in  the  supposed  business  section  had  but  a  twenty- 
five  foot  frontage.  In  a  few  cases  there  were 
choice  localities  in  which  ''villa  lots"  much 
more  pretentious  were  laid  out.  But  in  general 
little  regard  was  had  to  beauty. 

The  town  site  of  Claremont  had  only  one  street 
of  any  considerable  length  that  was  over  sixty 
feet  wide,  and  that  one  was  eighty  feet.  The 
single  lots  wc^re  of  the  usual  size  in  such  town 
Bites  in  this  region.  The  surfac(\  exce[)t  a  por- 
tion of  tlu!  mesa  on  a  part  of  wiiicli  tlic  coHege 
huildiiigs  sland,  was  coarse  gravel,  or  covered 
witii  KtoricH  mingled  with  cactus  and  nameless 
cha[)arrMl.  M'iier(^  wen;  no  roads  or  paths,  bar 
ring  one  (jr  two  crooked  wagon  roads  and  rabbit 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

tracks.  The  railroad  station,  the  picturesque 
hotel,  a  single  farmhouse  and  two  or  three  di- 
minutive houses  half  hidden  in  the  brush  consti- 
tuted the  material  attractions  close  at  hand.  No 
other  sign  of  cultivation  appeared  except  a  Chi- 
nese garden  in  an  apparently  swampy  tract  half  a 
mile  distant,  while  the  wilderness  pressed 
closely  at  the  north,  and  the  veritable  desert 
waste  seemed  to  shut  off  all  approach  from  the 
east.  The  possibility  of  development  contribu- 
tory to  Claremont,  unless  on  the  south  side  across 
the  railroad,  looked  remote.  While  there  was  a 
nominal  water  supply,  for  some  years  this  was 
meager  and  uncertain. 

Even  after  the  College  moved  to  Claremont, 
many,  perhaps  a  little  homesick,  looked  round 
about  on  the  immediate  surroundings  and  pro- 
nounced the  scene  lonely,  desolate,  hopeless  be- 
yond description.  The  term  ''beautiful,"  which 
had  been  applied  to  Claremont  in  the  town-site 
advertisement,  to  them  seemed  a  sarcasm.  It 
was  said  repeatedly  that  only  a  vivid  creative 
imagination  could  conceive  of  this  wild  desola- 
tion as  transformed  into  an  attractive  village, 
much  less  as  the  permanent  abode  of  a  cultural 
college.  The  place  was  often  referred  to  as  ' '  The 
Sage-brush."  In  athletics  the  term  for  the  Po- 
mona team  was  **The  Sage  Hens."  Verily  the 
friends  of  the  College  walked  by  faith,  not  by 
sight.     They  lived  and  wrought  for  the  future, 

[120] 


CLAREMONT 

The  eyes  and  the  judgment  had  to  be  cultivated 
by  Southern  California  experience  and  imagina- 
tion to  appreciate  and  work  with  confidence 
amidst  such  scenes. 

With  all  the  drawbacks,  all  that  was  forbidding, 
there  were,  however,  many  attractions.  Some  of 
the  chief  requisites  for  college  purposes  were 
found  here  in  perfection.  Those  familiar  with 
the  climate,  the  soil  and  water  conditions,  look- 
ing beneath  the  outward  appearance,  could  see 
a  hopeful  future.  The  very  mountains  towering 
above  in  grandeur  and  ever-changing  colors,  with 
their  snow-clad  peaks  telling  of  fruitful  streams 
and  scenes  of  beauty,  and  the  broad  rich  valley 
below,  checkered  with  ranches  already  trans- 
formed into  harvest  fields  and  stretching  as  far 
as  eye  could  reach,  suggestive  of  varied  and  exten- 
sive enterprises  bespeaking  the  coming  thousands, 
all  were  equally  an  inspiration  under  which  the 
difficulties  melted  away,  discovering  great  possi- 
bilities that  rapidly  changed  into  realities. 

It  did  not  require  of  one  habituated  to  South- 
ern California  supernatural  vision  to  foresee  the 
Claremont  of  the  future:  these  narrow  lots  dou- 
bled or  tre})led;  comfortable  homos,  with  wi(l(»  ex- 
panses of  lawn  and  tropicjil  oi'naTncntnrion ;  liicso 
primitive  roads  perfected  for  travel  and  IIikm! 
with  sidfivvalks  and  tre(!s;  th(»  sinall,  iKMimicd-in 
coll(!gc  grounds  extendcul  on  this  h'hIo.  and  that 
into  un  ample  cunipus   with   ai)pr<)i)riato   build- 

[121] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ings ;  a  park  and  unsurpassed  athletic  field  where 
had  been  a  tangled,  forbidding  wilderness;  and 
fruitful  orchards  pressing  the  city  limits  on  three 
sides,  affording  ''villa  lots"  ^ying  in  beauty  with 
the  ample  grounds  of  the  far-famed  New  England 
villages. 

It  has  been,  of  course,  a  long,  slow  process, 
from  time  to  time  discouraging  and  still  far  from 
complete.  Nor  were  the  difficulties  all  in  the  field 
of  nature.  At  the  outset  Claremont  was  to  be 
the  seat  of  the  Preparatory  Department  only. 
It  was  uncertain  when  the  College  proper  should 
go  to  its  home  in  Piedmont.  This  fact  was  fatal 
to  much  growth;  for  there  seemed  to  be  nothing 
other  than  the  College  of  which  to  make  a  town, 
and  in  times  of  so  great  financial  depression  there 
was  little  hope  of  building  up  two  towns.  Neither 
the  members  of  the  faculty  nor  those  who  had 
children  to  take  a  college  course  could  afford  to 
establish  homes  at  Claremont.  Mr.  W.  H.  Hola- 
bird,  Mr.  Thomas  Barrows,  Mrs.  J.  T.  Ford  and 
Mr.  C.  B.  Sumner  were  the  first  to  build.  Soon, 
with  the  expectation  that  Claremont  was  to  be  the 
permanent  home  of  the  College,  Professors 
Brackett,  Norton,  Colcord,  Bissell,  President 
Baldwin,  and  also  a  few  others  who  had  children 
to  educate  built  their  homes. 

Most  people  who  built  in  Claremont  did  so  of 
necessity  rather  than  of  free,  spontaneous  choice. 
For  the  average  person  confidence  in  the  future 

1122] 


CLAREMONT 

hardly  rose  above  surrounding  discouragements. 
In  fact,  the  site  of  the  College  having  once  been 
abandoned,  the  specter  of  another  change  was 
always  present.  Doubtless  the  hardships  which 
the  College  was  passing  through  rendered  the 
future  uncertain  in  the  eyes  of  the  average  per- 
son. The  prevailing  feeling  that  there  were  too 
many  small  colleges  in  this  region  added  to  the 
uncertainty.  So  long  as  direct  efforts  were  made 
for  consolidation  with  other  colleges,  as  was  the 
case  two  or  three  times,  no  one  wanted  to  build 
lest  the  College  should  be  removed.  It  was  a 
dozen  years  before  all  doubt  vanished  as  to  the 
future  of  Claremont,  and  the  really  fine  conditions 
for  beautiful  and  attractive  homes  had  their  le- 
gitimate influence. 

Since  that  time  these  requisites  for  a  college 
and  for  a  home  have  gradually  come  to  be  recog- 
nized. Even  the  term  ''Claremont  the  Beauti- 
ful" does  not  now  seem  inappropriate,  A  more 
delightful,  healthful,  convenient  and  comfortable 
all-the-year-round  location  it  would  be  hard  to 
find.  Water  lias  Ixicn  provided, — abundant,  pure, 
and  with  sudicient  pressure, — the  soil  is  drained 
easily,  malaria  is  unknown  and  annoying  or  nox- 
ious ins(;ciH  are  rare.  Though  the  land  is  cov- 
arod  with  siones,  when  they  are  removed  i(  is 
very  pi-odiic.tivc.  TIh;  location  is  sMUiciciilly  ch'- 
vaie<l  and  pi'oiceied  from  iniincdiaio  sea  l)r(M'/,es 
to  (!Hcap(;  for  the  most  part  the  wet  and  chilling 

[  V2:]  ] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

fogs,  while  yet  the  trade  winds  come  freshly  over 
the  valley  with  tempering  effect  on  the  heat 
throughout  the  summer. 

Claremont  is  connected  with  Los  Angeles  by 
both  steam  and  electric  cars,  and  by  electric  cars 
also  with  Pomona,  where  are  two  other  through 
lines  of  travel.  It  is  near  the  mountains,  with 
their  charming  rides  and  walks, — along  the  foot- 
hills, over  the  summits  or  up  into  the  caiions, — 
affording  a  change  in  an  hour  or  two,  at  pleasure, 
from  summer  heat  to  winter  snow,  from  culti- 
vated flower  beds  to  fields  of  abundant  wild  flow- 
ers and  from  dry  and  glaring  streets  to  mossy 
drives  and  walks  beside  overhanging  and  drip- 
ping rocks. 

Over  and  above  all  else,  perhaps  the  one  great 
satisfaction  and  perennial  joy  is  the  superb 
mountain  and  valley  view.  The  eye  takes  in  the 
wonderful  ranges  with  their  lofty  peaks,  their 
lights  and  shadows  and  varied  coloring,  the  occa- 
sional glows  of  brilliance  suffusing  the  whole 
heavens,  and  shading  into  ever-changing  ethereal 
hues  of  a  richness  and  delicacy  far  surpassing  un- 
aided human  conception.  Now  it  is  a  single  dis- 
tant peak  that  attracts  the  attention;  again  it  is 
a  near  range  with  its  deep  indentations,  and  yet 
again  it  is  a  succession  of  ranges,  each  mtli  its 
o^\Ti  form,  its  o^^ti  coloring.  It  is  an  education 
in  itself  to  live  in  the  immediate  presence  of  and 
in  intimate  touch  with  a  phase  of  nature  which  so 

[124] 


CLAREMONT 

appeals  to  the  sense  of  beauty,  of  majesty  and  of 
glory.  Students,  whether  consciously  or  not,  feel 
and  respond  to  such  influences,  and  the  alumni  of 
Pomona  College  universally,  in  spite  of  all  the 
hardships  of  early  days,  are  fond  of  Claremont. 
A  few  of  the  earliest  inhabitants  felt  its  charm 
and  had  full  confidence  in  its  future.  Happily  a 
number  were  of  the  New  England  type  and  were 
familiar  with  the  town  meeting.  As  the  State 
has  no  municipal  organization  for  less  than  five 
hundred  inliabitants,  Claremont  for  many  years 
had  only  county  government.  Hence  in  order  to 
secure  unity  of  action  and  make  necessary  and  de- 
sirable improvements,  a  voluntary  town-meeting 
agreement  was  entered  into  and  regular  by-laws 
were  printed.  The  citizens  were  duly  notified  of 
meetings,  and  all,  men,  women  and  children, 
came  together,  elected  officers  and  decided  by  pub- 
lic discussion  on  policies  to  be  adopted  and  actual 
work  to  be  done.  Money  was  obtained  by  sub- 
scription. This  organization,  following  and  co- 
operating with  a  village  improvement  society 
formed  in  1892,  has  accomplished  a  great  work. 
Claremont  very  early  in  its  history  had  the  rep- 
utation far  and  wide  of  having  cxcollont  roads. 
Street  trees  were  planted,  sidewalks  made,  and 
much  was  done,  considering  the  moderate  means 
of  the  people,  both  of  a  temporary  and  a  perma- 
nent character,  to  improve  the  village  and  make  it 
attractive.   Jbjvon  after  it  became  an  incorporated 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

city,  the  To^\ti  Meeting  retained  more  or  less  in- 
fluence, helping  to  secure  unity  of  action  and 
pressing  improvement,  such  as  lighting  of  streets 
and  the  introduction  of  gas  as  well  as  electricity, 
and  securing  a  permanent  water  supply. 

The  steady  growth  of  the  College,  around 
which  the  village  was  built,  in  itself  gradually 
gave  assured  confidence  in  the  future  of  Clare- 
mont.  This,  together  with  the  evident  public  spirit 
of  its  citizens,  has  made  it  an  attractive  place 
for  a  home.  In  addition  are  the  numerous  ad- 
vantages that  cluster  around  a  prosperous  col- 
lege. The  city  and  College  combined  secure  a 
surprisingly  large  number  of  the  entertainments 
of  the  better  class  which  come  to  the  coast. 
Many,  too,  appreciate  the  single  large  and  effec- 
tive church.  Christian  but  not  sectarian,  in  which 
are  associated  members  from  churches  of  twenty 
or  more  distinct  denominations,  and  which  tends 
to  bind  the  community  together  in  a  truly  demo- 
cratic spirit.  The  large  chorus  choir  maintained 
by  the  Church  affords  valuable  weekly  drill  for 
many  students  and  citizens  musically  inclined. 

In  the  early  daj^s,  seeking  to  unite  College  and 
To"\vn  in  common  interests,  a  literary  society  was 
formed  to  whose  membership  and  meetings  the 
whole  community,  except  the  students,  was  in- 
vited. It  was  called  ''The  Cactus  Club."  It 
still  flourishes,  meeting  every  two  weeks;  one 
meeting  is  taken  up  with  current  events,  while 

[126] 


CLAREMONT 

the  next  considers  some  topic  in  the  line  of  his- 
tory, literature,  art  or  biography.  These  meet- 
ings are  maintained  with  fresh  interest  year  after 
year. 

The  College  Library  and  reading  room,  as  well 
as  the  college  grounds  and  parks,  are  always 
open  to  the  citizens ;  the  Observatory  with  its  tele- 
scope is  accessible  one  evening  a  month;  and  an 
invitation  is  extended  to  all  to  attend  the  chief 
events  of  academic  interest. 


[127] 


CHAPTER  X 

PRESIDENT  BALDWIN'S 
ADMINISTRATION 

From  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  Col- 
lege, the  right  man  for  president  was  diligently 
sought  by  the  Board  of  Trustees.  They  had  a 
high  ideal  of  the  one  fitted  to  take  up  this  work, 
for  they  had  high  ideals  for  Pomona.  For  three 
years  every  member  of  the  Board  had  the  matter 
in  mind,  but  no  one  could  be  found  who  was  ade- 
quate to  the  position  and  willing  to  take  it.  At 
length  the  attention  of  the  secretary  was  called, 
by  letters  from  the  East,  to  "Professor  Baldwin" 
as  a  candidate  for  the  position.  He  had  just 
come  to  Los  Angeles  to  help  in  raising  money 
for  a  new  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
building. 

It  was  represented  that  he  belonged  to  a  family 
of  college  presidents.  Five  of  his  uncles,  one 
brother  and  two  cousins  had  held  that  office.  In 
his  student  years  he  was  much  in  the  home  of  his 
uncle.  President  Fairchild  of  Oberlin  College. 
His  father,  Cyrus  H.  Baldwin,  was  an  early  grad- 
uate of  Oberlin,  and  his  mother,  who  died  w^hen 
he  was  very  young,  was  a  remarkable  Christian 
woman. 

[128] 


i*i(i;sii>KNr  (\i<rs  (Ihamhson    IV\i,i»\vin 


PRESIDENT  BALDWIN 

Doctor  Baldwin  was  born  at  Napoli,  New 
York,  October  10,  1852,  and  was  graduated  at 
Oberlin  in  1873.  While  studying  at  Andover 
Theological  Seminary,  in  the  class  of  1876,  he  was 
in  close  sympathy  with  Professor  E.  A.  Park, 
worked  with  him  on  the  ''Bibliotheca  Sacra," 
and  sometimes  read  his  lectures  before  the  class. 
Called  to  Ripon  College,  he  was  made  professor 
of  Latin,  and  continued  for  nine  years  in  that 
institution.  In  1881  he  was  ordained  to  the 
Christian  ministry  in  the  Congregational  Church. 
Resigning  his  position  at  Ripon,  he  became  secre- 
tary of  the  Iowa  Young  Men's  Christian  Associ- 
ation. After  four  years  in  this  work  he  resigned 
in  order  to  raise  money  for  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  of  Des  Moines,  from 
which  work  he  came  to  Los  Angeles. 

After  somewhat  extensive  correspondence  with 
eastern  parties  in  regard  to  Professor  Baldwin's 
candidacy,  he  was  invited  to  an  interview  with 
the  Executive  Committee,  to  whom  the  matter 
had  been  entrusted.  The  impression  was  in  gen- 
eral very  favorable,  and  he  was  unanimously 
elected  to  the  presidency.  There  was  some  mis- 
giving on  tlie  part  of  two  or  tliree  by  reason  of 
a  voluntary  remark  made  l)y  liini  tliat  lie  came  to 
his  decisions  by  a  (juick  intuitive  i)r()cess,  rnlli(M- 
tliJiri   by  tlu!  slow  f)roceHH  of  reaHoning. 

TIk'  n((w  [)reHid(!nt  cam(»  to  Clareniont  in  llie 
Kuinmer  of   J81J(),   and  with  tlio  secretary   s|)ont 

[129] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

some  weeks  in  getting  acquainted  with  the  peo- 
ple and  the  conditions  in  and  about  the  College, 
in  preparation  for  the  assumption  of  his  duties 
at  the  beginning  of  the  fall  term.  Conditions  at 
the  time  were  bad.  Reaction  from  the  activity  of 
two  years  before  had  set  in.  Little  money  was 
in  circulation,  and  business  was  at  a  low  ebb. 
People  were  discouraged  and  many  were  leaving 
this  part  of  the  country.  Any  ray  of  hope  was 
gladly  welcomed.  The  coming  of  a  president  to 
Pomona  was  evidence  of  progress.  President 
Baldwin,  moreover,  came  with  a  reputation  for 
success  in  raising  money.  Every  one  connected 
with  the  College  was  prepared  to  receive  him 
cordially.  A  college  class  of  seventeen  was  or- 
ganized. It  was  a  great  event  and  not  a  little 
enthusiasm  was  awakened.  The  president  assumed 
the  duties  of  his  office  at  an  opportune  time  and 
was  welcomed  with  loud  acclaim. 

Both  as  a  man  and  as  president  he  was  adapted 
to  arouse  and  maintain  enthusiasm.  He  was  cor- 
dial, a  good  mixer,  broad  in  his  sympathies;  he 
set  forth  high  ideals,  was  full  of  zeal  for  his  work 
and  forgetful  of  himself.  Moreover,  he  believed 
in  the  future  of  Southern  California,  believed 
heartily  in  Pomona  College  and  was  most  eager 
to  have  a  part  in  its  upbuilding.  His  inheritance 
and  early  training,  as  we  have  seen,  were  such 
as  to  give  him  the  instincts  of  an  educator,  while 
his  opportunities  had  fitted  him  for  the  work, 

[130] 


PRESIDENT  BALDWIN 

and  inspired  confidence  in  his  leadership. 
Among  some  of  the  hard-headed  business  men  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  and  the  constituency,  there 
was  a  tendency  to  question  his  extreme  idealism 
and  optimism,  which  were  never  kept  in  the  back- 
ground. This  critical  attitude,  however,  was  not 
pronounced.  The  beginnings  were  apparently  all 
that  could  be  desired. 

In  his  paper  read  before  the  Los  Angeles  Dis- 
trict Association  of  Congregational  Churches 
during  the  first  term  of  his  administration  Pres- 
ident Baldwin  gives  something  of  his  ideals  and 
methods.  He  says:  ''One  teacher  is  giving  five 
hours '  work  per  day ;  others  over  four ;  full  work 
for  a  student  is  three  classes.  ...  In  many  of  our 
schools  the  recitations  are  for  thirty  minutes  only, 
instead  of  one  hour.  There  is  no  compensation 
for  this  loss,  and  the  inevitable  result  is  the  low- 
ering of  the  standards.  You  do  not  wish  our 
college  to  pursue  a  policy  of  this  kind.  ...  If 
they"  (the  trustees)  ''can  secure  men  worth  two 
thousand  dollars  for  one  thousand,  if  those  teach- 
ers can  be  honest  on  such  a  salary,  you  will  not 
find  fault;  but  you  will  not  permit  them  to  crip- 
ple the  work  by  reducing  the  teaching  force  or 
cutting  down  the  hours  of  recitation.  .  .  .  There 
are  two  ways  of  meeting  current  expenses:  the 
one  is  to  have  an  endowment,  and  simply  draw 
and  use  the  interest.  That  is  easy,  and  has  its 
advantages.    The  other  is  to  look  to  one  thou- 

[131] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

sand  friends  of  the  enterprise  for  annual  gifts 
and  annual  interest  and  annual  watclifulness. 
From  these  friends  is  a  strength  not  to  be  found 
in  millions  of  endowment.  Is  it  feasible  to  raise 
a  subscription  of  five  thousand  dollars  from  our 
fifty-four  churches,  even  though  thirty-four  of 
them  are  home  missionary  churches?  From  a 
long  experience  in  raising  money  from  small 
givers,  I  answer  'yes'  without  hesitation." 

There  had  already  been  a  somewhat  widespread 
effort  to  interest  the  churches  and  the  young  peo- 
ple's organizations  in  the  College.  This  work 
President  Baldwin  took  up  with  zest,  and  he 
greatly  increased  the  number  of  annual  subscrib- 
ers to  the  College.  The  ' '  Pomona  Student ' '  says, 
in  December  of  that  year:  ''President  Baldwin 
has  begun  his  proposed  tour  of  the  churches.  .  .  • 
The  aim  is  one  thousand  subscriptions,  but 
that  number  is  likely  to  be  increased  to  fifteen 
hundred. ' ' 

Li  a  so-called  " Stockliolders '  Annual  Report" 
issued  in  December,  1891,  are  given  the  names 
and  addresses  of  over  five  hundred  stockholders, 
or  yearly  subscribers  to  the  College,  thirty-eight 
churches,  and  other  individual  givers.  The  in- 
teresting of  such  donors,  a  work  for  which  Pres- 
ident Baldwin  was  peculiarly  adapted,  had  it  been 
persistently  followed  year  after  year,  however 
small  the  subscriptions,  must  certainly,  by  rea- 
son of  their  number  and  the  sense  of  co-partner- 

[132] 


PRESIDENT  BALDWIN 

ship  developed,  have  resulted  in  an  invincible 
power.  Their  loyalty  and  support  would  have 
proved  one  of  the  most  successful  endowments 
ever  possessed  by  any  college. 

The  president  gained  the  loyalty,  cooperation 
and  fidelity  of  the  faculty.  Friction  might  easily 
have  arisen  with  the  coming  of  a  recognized  col- 
lege authority,  since  heretofore  the  faculty  had 
acted  rather  as  coworkers.  But  nothing  of 
the  kind  appeared.  From  first  to  last  the 
president  was  in  harmony  and  close  sympathy 
with  the  other  members  of  the  faculty.  The 
same  was  generally  true  with  respect  to  the  stu- 
dents. He  was  the  idol  of  many,  and  always 
appealed  strongly  to  the  student  body.  Both  fac- 
ulty and  students  cheerfully  accepted  his  internal 
policy  throughout  his  administration,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  certain  restrictions  and  limitations 
felt  to  be  narrow  and  burdensome  to  the  older 
students.  Later  years  have  witnessed  the  modi- 
fication of  some  of  these  restrictions,  particularly 
since  the  Preparatory  School  was  dropped. 

Mrs.  Baldwin  was  also  a  graduate  of  Oberlin 
and  had  been  a  successful  tcjicher  before  her  mar- 
riage;. In  those  first  years  she  was  a  ical  liclpcr 
ill  tli<!  (tlaHHroom  and  in  th(»  faculty  discussions. 
IJ(.'r  mind  was  (piick  to  see,  and  fertile  in  (icviccs. 
Term  after  term  she  taught  successfully,  willi 
little  or  no  compensation;  sncli  pay  as  siu>  re- 
ceived   went   back    to   the    (-oUege    in    some    \\i\y. 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Greater  sympathy  with  the  ideals  of  Pomona, 
and  greater  sacrifices  to  further  them,  than  were 
manifested  by  both  President  and  Mrs.  Baldwin, 
could  not  have  been  desired.  And  sacrifice  was 
necessary. 

Pomona  was  without  available  resources.  At 
least  one-half  of  the  expenses  must  be  met  by 
gifts,  and  never  was  it  harder  for  a  constituency 
to  raise  money.  The  friends  of  the  College  had 
slight  incomes  and  growing  families.  Churches, 
also,  were  being  built  and  must  be  sustained. 
Municipalit}^,  county  and  State,  all  made  their 
demands  on  the  people.  Schoolhouses,  city  halls 
and  other  public  buildings  were  required,  a  sys- 
tem of  roads  was  demanded,  more  extended  than 
in  any  other  State  in  the  Union  save  one.  The 
immediate  outlook  for  the  College  was  far  from 
bright,  w^hile  a  great  and  expanding  future  was 
beckoning  on  to  larger  things.  No  one  felt  the 
situation  more  keenly  than  President  Baldwin. 
No  one  wished  more  earnestly,  alike  for  his  own 
sake,  for  his  family's  sake  and  for  the  sake  of  hu- 
manity, to  help  provide  the  needed  funds  and  re- 
lieve the  situation.  It  was  on  his  mind  day  and 
night.  Nor  was  he  lacking  in  expedients.  He 
was  abundantly  fruitful  in  plans  and  projects. 

In  order  to  keep  in  touch  with  the  student  body, 
he  taught  classes  in  Christian  evidences  a  part 
of  the  time  for  two  or  three  years,  most  accept- 
ably.    There  was  little  occasion  for  changes  in 

[134] 


PRESIDENT  BALDWIN 

the  curriculum  the  first  year.  Professor  Colcord 
had  been  engaged  before  the  coming  of  President 
Baldwin. 

The  coming  of  Professor  Frederick  Starr, 
Ph.D.,  now  of  Chicago  University,  to  be  profes- 
sor of  geology  and  anthropology  and  dean  of  the 
science  department,  was,  however,  an  event  of 
importance.  He  was  an  inspiration  to  the  whole 
College.  It  was  with  sincere  regret  on  the  part 
of  the  College  that  he  left  at  the  end  of  the  year, 
after  but  a  few  months  of  service,  to  enter  upon 
his  present  work. 

This  same  year  the  College  Senate  was  formed 
and  a  constitution  adopted;  high  hopes  were  en- 
tertained of  its  usefulness  in  the  control  of  the 
student  body.  The  president  of  the  College  was 
its  presiding  officer,  and  its  action  in  all  cases 
was  referred  to  the  faculty.  This  organization 
as  it  was  conducted  elicited  much  discussion.  It 
had  a  precarious  existence  for  some  time,  but  was 
never  a  great  success. 

The  Folk  Moot,  a  combination  of  students  and 
faculty  in  mass  meeting,  was  occasionally  sum- 
moned to  discuss  college  questions. 

The  third  anniversary  was  made  tlic  occasion 
of  the  inauguration  of  President  Baldwin.  The 
exf^rcises  wo.rct  hcM  in  tlie  Methodist  l^ipiscopal 
Church  in  Pomona.  In  addition  to  tlic  pi(»si- 
dent's  addrf^HH,  prayer  was  offered  l)y  Jvev.  T.  C 
Hunt,  Itev.  K.  (jI.  JIulcliiriH,  D.I).,  spoke  on  helialf 

ij:jr,j 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  Professor  Norton  on 
behalf  of  the  faculty,  and  Mr.  David  P.  Barrows 
on  behalf  of  the  students.  The  exercises  closed 
with  praj^er  and  benediction  by  Rev.  L.  H.  Frary. 
The  attendance  was  large,  and  great  satisfaction 
was  manifest  in  this  new  relation. 

The  necessity  for  some  better  means  of  con- 
veyance between  Claremont  and  Pomona  led 
President  Baldwin  early  to  conceive  the  possi- 
bility of  using  electric  power  instead  of  horse 
power.  He  devised  a  plan,  and  worked  very  hard 
for  a  long  time  to  bring  about  its  fulfillment.  A 
circular  was  printed  explaining  it,  and  asking  for 
thirty  thousand  dollars  for  the  construction  of  a 
line  to  Pomona,  thirty  thousand  dollars  more  for 
a  branch  to  Ontario,  and  twenty  thousand  dollars 
for  a  branch  to  Chino.  The  plan  contemplated  an 
electric  railroad,  the  power  coming  from  storage 
batteries.  It  never  materialized.  Evidently  it 
was  ahead  of  the  time.  Today  this  connection 
from  Ontario  through  Claremont  to  Pomona  and 
thence  to  Los  Angeles  is  doing  good  service,  and 
is  said  to  have  been  on  a  paying  basis  from  the  be- 
ginning. The  further  connection  with  San  Ber- 
nardino is  nearly  completed.  It  is,  however,  a 
trolley  road.  Not  yet  is  the  storage-battery  sys- 
tem accepted  as  practical  for  railroads. 

President  Baldwin  soon  conceived  a  project  of 
much  greater  import,  to  which  he  gave  his  time 
very  largely  for  two  or  three  years.     This  was 

[136] 


PRESIDENT  BALDWIN 

the  harnessing  of  the  mountain  torrent  which 
comes  down  San  Antonio  Canon  and  flows  with  a 
rapid  current  throughout  the  year,  and  the  con- 
verting of  its  momentum  into  electricity  for  light 
and  power.  The  electricity  was  to  be  conducted 
from  the  Canon  to  Ontario  and  through  Clare- 
mont  to  Pomona.  By  the  profits  of  this  enter- 
prise President  Baldwin  expected  to  endow  the 
College.  It  was  a  great  project,  and  appealed  to 
the  imagination,  especially  since  it  was  the  first 
of  the  kind  ever  placed  practically  before  the 
mind  of  the  scientific  world.  It  promised  great 
things  for  Pomona.  President  Baldwin  believed 
that  in  carrying  through  that  project  he  would  be 
accomplishing  untold  benefits  for  the  College.  A 
wide  and  vigorous  personal  appeal  was  made  to 
the  friends  of  the  institution  to  invest  in  this  en- 
terprise as  a  source  of  personal  profit,  and  also 
for  the  sake  of  the  College.  Many  did  so  invest, 
no  doubt  partly  with  a  view  to  helping  Pomona. 
The  following  from  the  ** Pomona  Student," 
supposed  at  the  time  to  be  authoritative,  shows 
s(jm('lhing  of  the  prevailing  expectations:  ''The 
prospect  of  the  speedy  inauguration  of  the  Po- 
mona Collcgfi  Power  Company  is  (excellent.  The 
history  of  tlie  movement  will  be  likely  to  ajjpear 
in  the  near  future.  It  is  to  give  Claremont  im- 
mediate; connection  l)y  electric  railroad  witli  Po- 
nioiiM,  four  miles  dislnnl,  and  will  funilsli  lights, 
arc  and  incandeHceiil,  iiiid  several  liuinli'ed  horse 

[  l-'^7  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

power  for  manufacturing  purposes.  It  seems 
probable  that  four  hundred  horse  power  will  be 
used  the  first  year  in  Pomona  and  Claremont. 
The  idea  is  simply  to  use  the  water  of  San  An- 
tonio Caiion  to  furnish  electricity  for  the  valley 
below." 

The  ** Prospectus"  puts  the  matter  concretely 
and  positively:  **The  low  water  is  at  least  one 
thousand  inches  and  the  fall  three  hundred  and 
ten  feet."  **The  pipes  will  be  laid  with  a  view 
to  using  three  thousand  inches  of  water,  produc- 
ing two  thousand  horse  power."  *'The  proposi- 
tion is  to  reserve  sixty  thousand  dollars  in  stock. 
The  balance  needed  is  to  be  raised  on  first  mort- 
gage bonds.  After  paying  current  expenses  and 
interest  on  the  bonds,  this  sixty  thousand  dollars 
is  to  be  paid  ten  per  cent.  Of  the  net  surplus  to  be 
distributed  the  college  is  to  receive  one  half.  .  .  . 
The  college  expects  a  considerable  income  from 
its  one  half  of  the  net  surplus." 

It  was  a  great  honor  to  President  Baldwin  to 
anticipate  the  scientific  world  in  such  a  project; 
nevertheless  its  failure  was  a  disaster  to  the  Col- 
lege. Many  blamed  the  president,  and  some  the 
College  through  the  president.  Others  made  no 
distinction.  Pomona  was  responsible.  But  per- 
haps the  worst  result  was  its  effect  on  the  pres- 
ident himself,  and  on  the  College  through  him. 
Wliatever  the  real  reason  for  the  failure,  whether 
it  was  lack  of  business  experience   or  lack   of 

[138] 


PRESIDENT  BALDWIN 

money,  or  whether  the  project  was  simply  one  for 
which  the  times  locally  were  not  ready,  the  result 
was  the  same.  The  fact  that  the  plan  has  since 
been  worked  out  to  a  success  makes  little  differ- 
ence. The  enterprise  was  heralded  so  widely, 
promised  such  great  things,  was  pushed  so  con- 
fidently, that  failure  was  correspondingly  dis- 
couraging and  disheartening.  President  Bald- 
win would  have  been  more  than  human  if  he  had 
not  been  profoundly  affected  by  it. 

Later  another  project  of  a  similar  nature,  fur- 
ther north,  was  pursued  by  him  with  intense 
interest  for  a  considerable  period,  but  finally 
abandoned.  Still  another  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  State  has  occupied  more  or  less  of  his  time 
since  he  left  Pomona. 

A  further  effect  of  this  venture  must  be  noticed. 
That  delicate,  impalpable  something  that  throws 
a  halo  over  word  and  deed — universal,  unques- 
tioned confidence — no  longer  existed.  It  was  in- 
evitable that  some,  at  least,  of  those  who  lost 
money  in  the  enterprise  should  not  be  able  to  trust 
implicitly  President  Baldwin's  business  judg- 
ment. There  were  so  many  of  these  persons,  and 
they  were  scattered  so  widely,  that  the  effect 
could  liardly  fail  to  be  detrimental  to  a  young 
<;()ll('g(i  struggling  for  its  existence  amidst  great 
drawbacks. 

Ifowciver,  PreHid(»nt  Baldwin's  inslincis  as  an 
educator  and  a  college;  adininistrator  did  not  fail 

[139] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

him,  as  is  seen  by  the  active  events  that  accom- 
pany and  follow  this  project. 

The  College  Seal  was  discussed  and  adopted 
July  15,  1891.  It  is  a  circle  with  the  words  ''In- 
corporated 1887"  and  "Seal"  in  the  center,  sur- 
rounded by  the  words  "Pomona  College — Our 
Tribute  to  Christian  Civilization." 

In  October  of  this  year  two  contracts  were 
brought  by  the  Secretary  from  Eastern  friends, 
for  Pomona;  one  for  fifty  thousand  dollars  for 
endo"svment,  and  one  for  twenty-five  thousand  dol- 
lars for  a  new  hall.  This  was  an  event  of  the 
greatest  importance,  and  a  source  of  much-needed 
encouragement  and  inspiration  to  the  friends  of 
the  College.     It  gave  a  new  sense  of  security. 

The  year  1892  is  characterized  by  the  coming 
of  two  members  of  the  faculty  who  belong  to  the 
"Old  Guard,"  Professors  Bissell  and  Hitchcock, 
the  first  ultimately  to  teach  modern  languages, 
and  the  second  chemistry  and  physics.  Mr.  S.  H. 
Brackett,  who  filled  the  chair  of  chemistry  in  the 
academy  at  St.  Johnsbury,  Vermont,  was  asked 
to  take  the  place  of  Professor  Starr  for  the  last 
term  of  1892,  and  in  addition  to  his  classroom 
work  he  gave  a  series  of  lectures  to  the  whole  stu- 
dent body. 

The  Students'  Publishing  Company  was 
formed  during  this  year.  To  quote  from  the 
"Student  Life,"  it  had  "a  guaranteed  business  of 
from  five  to   eight  hundred   dollars,"   and  had 

[140] 


PRESIDENT  BALDWIN 

**the  influence  of  the  college  behind  it."  For  a 
few  years  this  company  was  helpful,  but  its  equip- 
ment was  not  kept  in  repair,  and  finally  became 
worn  out  and  useless. 

In  the  autumn  of  1893  Mr.  W.  B.  Shaw,  M.A., 
came  to  take  the  place  of  instructor  in  political 
economy  and  history.  Mr.  Shaw  made  a  favor- 
able impression,  but  was  called  away  by  the  death 
of  his  father,  and  did  not  return.  There  was  an 
unfortunate  misunderstanding  in  the  business  ar- 
rangements with  Mr.  Shaw,  which  may  have  in- 
fluenced his  decision. 

The  important  event  of  the  year  1892-93  was 
the  Educational  Convention  of  the  Congregational 
Churches  of  Southern  California.  It  was  called 
in  the  name  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Pomona 
College,  at  the  First  Congregational  Church,  Los 
Angeles.  The  object  of  the  Convention  was  to 
confer  together,  thus  early  in  the  history  of  the 
College,  that  the  best  ideas  of  the  constituency 
might  reach  the  ears  and  minds  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  wlio  were  nearly  all  present  at  this 
meeting.  Thirty-six  churches  were  represented, 
together  with  some  representatives  from  the 
noi'lhcrn  pai'i  of  tlie  State.  The  Convention  con- 
tinu(.'d  during  parts  of  two  days,  ten  hours  in  ses- 
sion. There  were  thirty  papers  on  tlie  program, 
eacli  speaker  liaving  selected  liis  own  theme.  Tlio 
papers  were  pi-inied  and  widely  distributed  ;ind 
some  of  tiieni  w<'re  of  permanent  vuhie.    It  was 

[141] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

a  well-conceived  movement,  and  well  carried  out. 
The  effect  was  widespread  and  proved  to  be  of 
lasting  benefit. 

A  contract  was  entered  into  with  the  Congre- 
gational Education  Society  about  this  time  which 
has  been  an  invaluable  help  to  the  College. 

At  the  beginning  of  1893  the  College  took  a 
new  lease  of  life  on  entering  into  possession  of 
Holmes  Hall.  It  was  an  event  most  thoroughly- 
enjoyed  by  all.  Never  was  such  a  building  more 
needed;  never  one  more  fully  appreciated.  The 
latter  part  of  the  year  was  signalized  by  the  rais- 
ing of  the  Permanent  Guarantee  Fund,  whose 
object  was  to  cover  any  possible  deficit.  The  be- 
ginning of  the  following  year  was  marked  by  the 
coming  to  the  department  of  biology  of  Profes- 
sor A.  J.  Cook,  the  last  of  the  ' '  Old  Guard. ' '  He 
was  a  rare  asset  to  the  young  college,  both  with 
the  student  body  and  with  its  constituency.  Pro- 
fessor Cook's  salary  was  promised,  and  paid,  for 
the  first  three  years  by  his  father-in-law,  Mr. 
C.  H.  Baldwin. 

The  last  part  of  this  year  and  the  first  month 
of  1894  the  College  was  compelled  to  make  the 
canvass  for  fifty  thousand  dollars  in  order  to 
meet  the  demands  of  the  contract  previously  se- 
cured by  the  secretary.  This  was  a  very  stren- 
uous campaign,  and  only  partially  successful. 
The  details  are  given  in  chapter  twenty-seven. 

The  graduation  of  the  first  college  class,  in 

[142] 


PRESIDENT  BALDWIN 

1894,  was  a  great  event  in  the  history  of  the  Col- 
lege. It  was  a  matter  of  pride  to  have  eleven, 
representing  seven  different  states,  go  forth  to 
life's  work  with  the  Pomona  brand.  The  Com- 
mencement abounded  in  congratulations.  Pro- 
fessor Cook  said,  in  an  article  written  in  this  con- 
nection: ''Pomona  College  is  the  largest,  as  it  is 
confessedly  the  best,  college  in  Southern  Califor- 
nia. It  has  just  graduated  eleven,  seven  gentle- 
men and  four  ladies,  of  whose  spirit,  scholarship 
and  character  it  is  justly  proud.  There  have 
been  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  students  during 
the  past  year,  and  there  has  been  a  constantly 
growing  increase,  notwithstanding  the  unparal- 
leled hard  times.  The  outlook  for  the  future  is 
most  encouraging." 

Dr.  McLean  of  Oakland  said  of  the  College  at 
this  time:  "The  importance  of  Pomona  College 
in  our  scheme  for  the  higher  education  in  Cal- 
ifornia cannot  be  overrated.  Its  location,  five 
hundred  miles  from  the  two  great  universities, 
gives  it  a  fine  chance  for  a  local  constituency; 
wliile  the  standing  already  attained  by  it  com- 
mands respect  much  more  than  local.  From  the 
Klan(l[)oint  of  secular  e(hication  it  is  regarded  by 
our  universitieH  as  filling  a  valuable  place  in  the 
ai>pliaiices  of  the  state;  to  those  of  us  who  take 
a  liigluT  view  it  app(!ars  simply  in(iisi)onsal)lo. " 

Whil(!  by  HMiHon  of  the  (Juarantce  Fund  (hero 
was  no  deficit  in  the  current  expenses  for  181)4- 

[143] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

95,  the  debt  already  accumulated  remained,  in  the 
form  of  personally-signed  notes,  and  the  budget 
for  the  following  year  was  large,  looking  to  the 
reduction  of  the  debt.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  held  on  February  12,  1895, 
Mr.  Marston  presented  a  plan  for  the  raising  of 
ten  thousand  dollars  additional  to  the  amount  re- 
ceived from  the  regular  sources  of  income,  in- 
cluding the  Guarantee  Fund,  and  offered  to  give 
two  thousand  dollars  of  this  amount  himself. 
The  meeting  adjourned  overnight.  At  the  morn- 
ing meeting  President  Baldwin  presented  his 
resignation  in  writing,  saying  that  ''with  his 
present  health  and  courage  he  could  not  under- 
take to  carry  out  the  plan  adopted,  as  the  Board 
wished  him  to  do. ' '  The  resignation  was  referred 
to  a  committee  consisting  of  Messrs.  Smiley, 
Hunt  and  Frary,  who  reported  to  the  Board 
of  Trustees,  and  the  report  was  adopted,  as 
follows : 
''President  of  Pomona  College, 

"Dear  Sir:  "We  this  day  having  received  your 
resignation  as  president  of  Pomona  College,  de- 
sire first  of  all  to  express  our  warm  appreciation 
of  the  spirit  you  have  sho^vn  in  your  relation  to 
the  faculty,  the  students,  and  to  our  constituency 
at  large.  We  also  bear  witness  that  your  devo- 
tion and  loyalty  in  all  these  relations  commands 
our  gratitude.  While  we  recognize  the  motives 
which  led  you  to  this  action,  we  do  not  see  our 

[144] 


PRESIDENT  BALDWIN 

way  clear  to  consummate  at  present  this  separa- 
tion which  you  propose." 

The  resignation  was  accordingly  left  in  the 
hands  of  the  Board,  but  not  immediately  pressed 
for  action.  In  view  of  the  situation  the  student 
body  sent  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  the  following 
minute : 

'^Whereas,  the  resignation  of  President  Cyrus 
G.  Baldwin  has  been  tendered  to  your  honorable 
body  to  take  effect  on  or  before  June  26, 1895 ;  and 

"Whereas,  the  causes  operating,  so  far  as  w^e  can 
ascertain,  do  not  appeal  to  us  as  such  as  to  be  nec- 
essarily and  finally  decisive  for  such  action;  and 

''Whereas,  Pomona  College  as  a  Christian  col- 
lege stands  preeminently  for  the  developing  of  a 
Christian  character  and  the  supremacy  of  the 
Christian  spirit;  and 

**  Whereas,  we  believe  that  the  personality  and 
example  of  a  ripened  and  symmetrical  Christian 
character,  supported  by  breadth  of  intellect  and 
cordial  fellowship,  is  a  most  important  factor  in 
attaining  this  ideal;  and 

''Whereas,  we,  the  student  body,  feel  that  any 
course  of  action  tending  to  sever  his  present  re- 
lation with  us  would  be  not  only  a  great  source 
of  r('gr<!t  and  sorrow  to  us  p(M*sonally,  but  also, 
w(!  Ixilieve,  a  serious  if  not  inestimable  detriment 
to  the  Htudciit  body  iind  tlio  student  life  of  this 
iiiHtiliiiion ;  and 

"Wiiereas,  we  believe  lliai  llie  student  body,  as 

[145] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

one  of  the  important  factors  in  the  large  success 
of  an  institution,  may  justly  claim  for  itself  such 
consideration  as  shall  work  not  only  for  its  har- 
mony and  unity,  but  also  for  its  hearty  coop- 
eration in  the  progress  and  upbuilding  of  the 
institution ;  be  it 

"Eesolved:  That  we,  the  students  of  Pomona 
College,  do  hereby  express  our  heartfelt  regret 
concerning  the  recent  action  of  our  president 
looking  to  the  severance  of  his  relation  with  Po- 
mona College,  and  that  we  do  hereby  most  ear- 
nestly request  your  honorable  body  to  make  such 
arrangements  as  shall  induce  him  to  withdraw 
his  resignation." 

The  October  following,  a  coimnittee  consisting 
of  Messrs.  Blades,  Tracy  and  Frary,  appointed 
to  consider  the  relations  of  President  Baldwin  to 
the  College,  reported,  and  their  report  was 
adopted,  as  follows:  "The  Board  of  Trustees 
here  assembled,  fairly  representing,  as  we  believe, 
the  entire  Board,  after  full  and  free  discussion, 
hereby  expresses  its  unanimous  judgment  that  it 
is  for  the  best  interests  of  the  College  that  Pres- 
ident Baldwin  continue  in  office,  and  in  that  posi- 
tion we  pledge  him  our  individual  and  united 
support. ' ' 

The  amount  required  by  Mr.  Marston's  plan 
referred  to  above*  was  duly  raised  and  his  sub- 
scription was  paid. 

*  P.  144. 

[146] 


PRESIDENT  BALDWIN 

In  the  spring  of  1895  the  question  whether  a 
member  of  the  faculty  other  than  the  president 
should  be  on  the  Board  of  Trustees  was  discussed 
by  the  faculty,  and  a  minute  was  put  before  the 
Board  March  12,  1895,  objecting  to  the  principle 
that  any  one  should  hold  the  two  positions. 
When  this  was  presented,  the  secretary  presented 
with  it  his  resignation  from  the  Board  and  the 
appointments  connected  therewith,  together  with 
the  secretaryship,  which  was  not  necessarily  de- 
pendent on  his  membership  on  the  Board.  In 
response  the  trustees,  refusing  to  accept  the 
resignation  of  the  secretary,  passed  the  follow- 
ing vote:  ''Resolved:  That  while  this  Board  is 
in  full  accord  with  the  action  taken  by  the  fac- 
ulty as  to  the  impropriety  of  having  a  person  a 
member  of  the  Board  and  also  of  the  faculty,  there 
are  peculiar  conditions  attending  the  case  of  Pro- 
fessor Sumner  that  would,  in  the  judgment  of  the 
trustees,  make  it  unwise  to  make  any  change  at 
present.  The  president  of  the  Board  is  instructed 
to  convey  this  action  to  the  faculty."  At  this 
same  meeting  a  committee  of  three  was  appointed, 
consisting  of  Messrs.  Marston,  Sumner  and  Pres- 
ident Baldwin,  to  formulate  and  put  into  opera- 
tion a  financial  plan. 

President  Baldwin  secured  some  money  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  State.  Among  other  dona- 
tions   was    one    from    Mrs.    Susan    L.    liocko. 

Brought  into  contact  with  a  sick  boy  while  in 

[147] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

San  Francisco,  President  Baldwin,  with  his  char- 
acteristic sympathy  and  spirit  of  helpfulness,  en- 
deared himself  to  the  lad  and  his  mother.  The 
boy  died,  and  the  mother,  out  of  regard  to  Presi- 
dent Baldwin  and  in  memory  of  her  son,  pledged 
and  duly  paid  over  to  the  college  ten  thousand 
dollars.  This  incident  suggests  one  of  Dr.  Bald- 
win's strong  points.  He  had  an  unusual  gift  for 
securing  and  winning  the  confidence  of  young 
men.  Many  a  youth  was  found  who  never  had 
entertained  a  thought  of  a  collegiate  education, 
w^as  brought  to  the  College,  and  since  has  been  an 
honor  to  himself  and  to  Pomona. 

Oberlin  College  in  1896  gave  President  Bald- 
win the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity. 

Apropos  of  subscriptions  made  to  the  funds  by 
members  of  the  faculty,  a  minute  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  about  this  time  suggests  a  whole  vol- 
ume as  to  the  early  history  of  the  College.  It 
reads:  ''Resolved,  that  the  Board  of  Trustees  de- 
sire to  put  on  record  their  hearty  appreciation 
of  the  loyalty,  efiSciency  and  sacrifice  of  the  Fac- 
ulty, in  the  exacting  work  of  the  College  during 
its  continued  struggles  with  adversity;  and  still 
further  in  recognition  of  the  hardships  to  w^hich 
they  are  subjected  by  the  tardy  payment  of  their 
salaries,  all  too  inadequate  for  the  services  ex- 
pected, if  promptly  paid,  and  of  their  voluntary 
assumption  of  additional  burdens,  they  hereby 
declare  theii'  fixe^  purpose  in  no  wise  to  tax  the 


PRESIDENT  BALDWIN 

ordinary  income  of  the  College  in  order  to  extend 
its  work,  at  least  beyond  the  recommendation  of 
the  Faculty  themselves,  until  these  self-imposed 
burdens  are  removed,  and  vexatious  delays  in 
payment  of  salaries  are  no  longer  necessary." 

The  completion  of  the  canvass*  by  which  sev- 
enty-five thousand  dollars  was  reported  as  in  the 
bank  for  endowment,  in  the  winter  of  1896-97,  was 
the  occasion  of  much  rejoicing.  It  was  felt  to 
be,  under  all  the  circumstances,  a  really  great 
achievement,  presaging  large  things  for  the 
future. 

In  the  summer  of  1897,  after  seven  years  of 
service.  Dr.  Baldwin  resigned  the  presidency, 
and  his  resignation  was  accepted.  In  withdraw- 
ing from  the  college  work  he  left  a  host  of  friends 
and  no  enemies.  During  his  administration  the 
College  grew  in  numbers  from  one  hundred  and 
sixteen,  of  whom  seventeen  were  collegians,  to 
two  hundred  and  fifty,  of  whom  eighty  were  colle- 
gians. Holmes  Hall  was  added  to  the  campus, 
and  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  was  secured 
for  endowment.  Any  one  studying  carefully  the 
times  and  conditions  would  pronounce  President 
Baldwin's  athninistration  successful — historic- 
ally consid(!r(;(l,  r(!inai'ka])ly  successful. 

Tlie  graduating  class  of  liSOS  presented  the  Col- 
lege; with  a  fine  portrait  of  President  Baldwin  by 
Oscar-  KcniM'lli  of  San  Francisco,  with  the  follow- 

"  (Jlini.1<!r  AX  VI  I. 

L  HI)  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ing  words  voiced  by  Miss  Grace  Adams  McPher- 
ron:  *'We  honor  his  keen  sense  of  justice,  his 
insight  into  human  nature,  his  scholarly  attain- 
ments, his  broad  humanity  and  his  liberal  culture ; 
but  more  than  all,  we  love  the  man.  We  trust 
that  the  men  and  women  who  in  future  years  may 
be  privileged  to  study  in  these  halls  may  in  a 
measure  grasp  some  of  the  nobleness  and  inspira- 
tion which  radiate  from  his  face  and  are  sug- 
gested to  a  slight  degree  in  this  portrait." 

Dr.  McLean  wrote  of  him:  ''To  him  well 
belongs  the  honor  of  being  founder  and  foster- 
father  of  the  infant  institution.  Under  his  guid- 
ance it  was  that  Pomona  outgrew  and  outran  the 
array  of  competitors  which  started  with  it  in  the 
educational  race,  and  gained  for  itself  that  credit 
for  high  standards  and  thorough  work  which  have 
placed  it  only  second  to  the  two  great  universities 
of  the  state.  So  long  as  Pomona  College  lives 
shall  Dr.  Baldwin  live  in  its  life.  In  its  expan- 
sion his  life  and  influence  shall  expand  and  con- 
tinue to  be  a  pervasive  power  for  good.  And 
that  not  in  Southern  California  alone,  nor  even 
where  the  graduates  of  the  decade  past  shall  go ; 
but  wherever  graduates  in  the  decades  to  come 
shall  live  and  bless  society,  there  shall  he  live 
within  and  bless  society.  Pomona  College  is  a 
flowing  well.  The  power  and  influence  of  those 
who  follow  him  in  its  administration  shall  in  no 
true  sense  succeed  and  displace  his,  but  shall  only 

[150] 


PRESIDENT  BALDWIN 

add  themselves  to  his,  and  render  it  more  lasting 
and  more  potent." 

In  October,  1910,  by  invitation  of  President 
Blaisdell,  Ex-President  Baldwin  spoke  to  the 
student  body  in  chapel  on  ' '  The  Capacity  for  En- 
thusiasm." The  subject  was  suggested  by  a 
remark  of  President  David  Starr  Jordan  in  re- 
sponse to  an  inquiry  about  the  Pomona  men  and 
women  who  had  gone  to  Stanford  for  graduate 
work:  **They  have  a  capacity  for  enthusiasm." 
The  address  appealed  to  the  students  with  all  the 
old-time  intense  interest.  The  ''Student  Life" 
says  of  it:  ''His  words  came  from  his  heart 
without  need  for  adornment.  How  he  said  them 
we  shall  probably  forget.  What  he  said  became 
too  closely  welded  into  our  natures  for  any  such 
lapse." 

Again,  in  the  autumn  of  1912,  at  the  celebration 
of  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  the  incorpora- 
tion of  the  College,  the  spontaneous  and  generous 
response  of  the  audience  to  a  simple  word  of 
recognition  of  President  Baldwin's  work,  with 
syifipatliy  for  him  in  his  illness  at  the  time, 
showed  that  ho  was  still  near  and  dear  to  the 
hearts  of  Pomona's  friends. 


[101 J 


CHAPTEE  XI 

THE  EARLIER  PROFESSORS 
It  would  be  difficult  to  exaggerate  the  molding 
power  of  the  first  teachers  in  an  educational  in- 
stitution. The  spirit  engendered,  the  inspiration 
given,  the  precedents  formed,  all  help  to  create  an 
atmosphere  which  is  pervasive  and  life-giving; 
and  which,  if  those  teachers  continue  for  a  term 
of  years,  is  not  easily  changed  in  the  process  of 
growth  and  in  the  addition  of  new  teachers. 

Pomona  has  been  peculiarly  fortunate  in  this 
respect.  The  first  teachers  selected  proved  to 
be  not  only  scholarly  and  apt  in  teaching,  but  also 
of  large  manhood  and  womanhood  and  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  ideals  cherished  in  behalf  of  the 
College ;  they  were  men  and  women  of  vision,  who 
realized  something  of  the  scope  of  the  undertak- 
ing, and  were  loyal,  self-denying,  long-suffering 
examples,  and  withal  growing  persons,  adaptive, 
always  ready  for  changed  conditions.  They  were 
intent  on  a  great  work.  They  had  a  calling  from 
God,  and  could  not  be  turned  aside  by  the  allure- 
ments of  money  or  honors.  They  were  not  dis- 
couraged by  hardships,  nor  over-sensitive  to  sup- 
posed lack  of  appreciation  or  imagined  injustice. 
They  were  men  and  women  of  faith,  and  counted 

[152] 


THE  EAELIER  PROFESSORS 

on  the  future  for  satisfaction,  as  if  it  were  real- 
ized. They  were  different,  very  different,  the  one 
from  the  other,  yet  were  they  one  in  a  great  pur- 
pose, that  of  building  up  a  strong,  effective  Chris- 
tian college  for  a  great  history.  Each  contrib- 
uted his  own  share  in  such  manner  as  to  produce 
one  concrete,  composite  resultant.  In  order  fully 
to  understand  the  Pomona  of  the  present,  a  brief 
study  of  its  early  teachers  is  quite  necessary. 

The  attention  naturally  turns  first  to  Professor 
Edmn  Clarence  Norton.  The  son  of  a  home  mis- 
sionary. Professor  Norton  was  graduated  at  Am- 
herst in  1879,  and  took  graduate  work,  specializ- 
ing in  Greek,  at  Yale  and  Johns  Hopkins.  In  his 
sabbatical  years  he  has  again  studied  at  Yale, 
where  he  received  the  degree  of  M.  A.,  and  still 
further  at  Oxford,  England,  and  at  Athens, 
Greece.  He  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  in 
1884.  For  four  years  he  was  professor  at  Yank- 
ton College,  Yankton,  South  Dakota.  By  reason 
of  his  opportunities  and  experience  he  was  the 
first  teacher  appointed  at  Pomona  College,  and 
was  made  principal  of  the  Preparatory  Depart- 
iri(;nt  and  instructor  in  Greek.  He  came  on  the 
ground  in  tiriK»  to  make  the  necessary  arrange- 
rri(!ritH  for  tiie  opening  of  ilw.  now  college  work. 
Mrs.  Norton  came  with  an  infant  in  arms  a  few 
months  lator.  Hrouglit  up  in  New  Haven,  a  stu- 
dent at  Mount  Ilolyokc  and  a  teaclicr  at  Yankton, 
Mrs.  Noiion   had  cuilivalion  of  mind  and   licart. 

[153] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

In  her  home,  in  the  College,  term  after  term  as 
teacher,  and  in  the  Church  and  community,  she 
has  been  a  constant  force  for  good  cheer  and  gen- 
eral helpfulness  in  many  ways. 

Professor  Norton  quickly  showed  that  his  was 
a  master  hand  in  organization.  Evidently  his  ex- 
perience had  done  what  only  experience  could  do 
— broaden  and  deepen  character — and  he  brought 
to  his  new  work  a  spirit  of  loyalty  and  consecra- 
tion of  inestimable  value  in  the  building  up  of 
manhood  and  womanhood.  He  continued  to  act 
as- principal  of  the  Preparatory  Department  until 
1893,  when  he  was  made  dean  of  the  faculty, 
in  which  position  he  still  remains.  In  1890  he 
was  made  professor  of  the  Greek  language. 
Carleton  College  gave  him  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Philosophy  for  special  scholarly  work.  In 
1910  his  professorship  was  placed  on  the  Edwin 
Clarence  Norton  Foundation.  This  same  year  he 
delivered  the  adress  before  the  graduating  class 
of  Pacific  Theological  Seminary,  and  received  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  the  Seminary. 
In  1911  he  was  elected  moderator  of  the  General 
Congregational  Association  of  Southern  Califor- 
nia. Thus  is  made  evident  not  only  the  esteem  in 
which  he  is  held  for  his  work  in  the  College,  but 
also  the  fact  that  he  keeps  up  to  date,  not  alone 
in  the  scholarship  of  his  profession,  but  in  the 
thought  and  activities  of  religious  interests  as 
well. 

[154] 


THE  EARLIER  PROFESSORS 

The  desire  for  quality  rather  than  quantity  is 
ingrained  in  his  very  being.  It  appears  in  the 
classroom  and  in  the  deanship,  in  the  work  that  he 
does  and  in  that  required  of  others.  He  has  high 
ideals  for  the  College,  and  the  desire  for  numbers 
never  tempts  him  to  waive  his  ideals.  While 
Pomona  stands  preeminently  for  Christian  char- 
acter, he  would  not  have  her  a  reform  school. 
Scholarship,  too,  must  coordinate  with  character. 
Sharply  critical  of  the  bright  student  who  will  not 
study,  he  has  little  patience  with  the  poor  scholar 
who  relies  on  his  goodness  to  carry  him  through. 
It  is  particularly  hard  for  him  to  tolerate  any- 
thing less  than  good,  faithful,  really  hard  study. 
While  he  has  hosts  of  friends  among  students  and 
alumni,  naturally  there  have  been  a  few  who  have 
felt  that  he  was  inclined  to  be  a  little  severe  in  his 
judg-mont  and  his  methods. 

There  are  few  more  inspiring  teachers.  The 
student  who  fails  to  acquire  from  him  a  love  for 
the  Greek  language  must  be  lacking  in  the  in- 
stincts of  a  scholar.  He  often  uses  humor  in  the 
classroom,  before  the  student  body  and  with  the 
individual  student,  to  impress  the  helpful  thought 
or  the  cautious  injunction.  Many  an  inspiring 
suggestion  or  commendatory  word  from  tlie  tlean 
sticks  in  the  student's  mind,  like  a  burr  in  the  hair, 
by  reason  of  a  linmorous  turn  that  he  has  given 
tli((  Hcntcric-c.  l''or  ricli  and  spicy  enlei-iniinnont 
notliiiig  ikmmI  b(!  better  than  one  of  Pi'ofessor  Nor- 

[155] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ton's  humorous  speeches,  when  he  is  in  the  mood 
for  it.  And  he  can  be  correspondingly  impres- 
sive in  enforcing  more  serious  thought  and 
experience. 

The  loss  of  a  little  boy,  Philip  Jameson  Nor- 
ton, was  a  great  grief  to  Professor  and  Mrs.  Nor- 
ton, and  in  memory  of  him  they  instituted  a  prize 
for  the  best  student  in  the  Preparatory  Course 
of  study.  This  prize  was  given  thereafter  each 
year,  so  long  as  this  department  continued.  It 
was  a  pleasure  to  them  to  award  it  one  year  to 
their  daughter. 

Professor  Norton,  drawing  from  previous  ex- 
perience, was  enabled  to  suggest  a  number  of  the 
customs  which  have  grown  into  traditions.  For 
example,  the  giving  of  the  ''Wash  Program"  (the 
forerunner  of  the  Senior  Play)  at  commence- 
ment. His  executive  ability  is  recognized 
further  in  the  voluntary  keeping,  with  Mrs. 
Norton's  assistance,  of  a  complete  record  of 
every  student  connected  with  the  institution 
from  the  beginning.  The  work  led  to  his  ap- 
pointment as  registrar,  which  office  he  continued 
to  fill  until  1913.  In  accepting  his  resignation 
of  the  office,  the  Board  of  Trustees  gave  ex- 
pression to  their  appreciation  of  this  invalua- 
ble service  by  a  vote  of  thanljis  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Norton. 

It  was  understood  by  a  few  that  the  presidency 
of  a  kindred  institution  was  declined  by  him  some 

[156] 


THE  EARLIER  PROFESSORS 

years    since    in    deference    to    the    interests    of 
Pomona. 

Professor  Frank  Parkhurst  Brackett  should 
be  mentioned  in  connection  with  Professor 
Norton  as  one  of  the  first  and  most  effective 
teachers.  He  was  appointed  instructor  in  math- 
ematics at  the  meeting  at  which  Professor  Norton 
received  his  appointment. 

Professor  Brackett  was  fitted  for  college  at  the 
academy  at  St.  Johnsbury,  Vermont,  where  his 
father,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College,  was  for 
many  years  a  teacher  in  science.  He  was  grad- 
uated at  Dartmouth  College  in  1887,  from  which 
institution  he  received  also  the  degree  of  M.  A. 
He  has  since  spent  a  year  in  graduate  work  at 
Clark  University. 

He  came  to  Los  Angeles  in  1887  to  teach  in 
McPherron  Academy,  but  on  account  of  throat 
trouble  resigned  at  the  end  of  the  fall  term.  He 
was  then  induced  by  Mr.  Sumner  to  open  a  pri- 
vate school  in  Pilgrim  Chapel,  Pomona,  in  order 
to  hold  together  a  number  of  students  in  prepara- 
tion for  the  opening  of  Pomona  College,  and  with 
the  expectation  of  an  appointment  in  the  new  in- 
stitution. This  he  duly  received,  and  after  two 
years  as  insti'uctor,  he  was  made  professor  of 
mathematics  and  put  in  charge  of  astronomy, 
whicli  latter  Rul),ject  Iw.  took  up  with  the  first  col- 
lege class.    Largely  as  a  reault  of  bie  iuspira- 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

tion,  an  unusual  interest  in  astronomy  has  been 
maintained,  which  was  quickened  by  the  erection 
and  equipment  of  the  F.  P.  Brackett  Observatory, 
of  which  Professor  Brackett  was  made  director 
in  1908.  Much  work,  however,  some  of  perma- 
nent and  widely  recognized  value,  was  done  be- 
fore the  Observatory  was  built. 

In  the  autumn  of  1911,  by  invitation,  Profes- 
sor Brackett  accompanied  Dr.  C.  G.  Abbott, 
director  of  the  Astrophysical  Observatory  of  the 
Smithsonian  Institution,  in  an  astronomical  ex- 
pedition to  Algeria.  The  expedition  was  one  of 
importance,  and  the  appointment  of  Professor 
Brackett  as  one  of  its  members  was  regarded  as 
an  honor,  well  merited  and  affording  valuable 
experience. 

While  a  master  in  both  his  departments.  Pro- 
fessor Brackett 's  interest  has  not  been  confined 
to  them.  ''The  meteological  observatory  of  Po- 
mona College  is  also  a  voluntary  observer's  sta- 
tion in  the  United  States  Weather  Bureau,  and  as 
such  is  provided  by  the  government  with  three 
standard  instruments,  maximum  and  minimum 
thermometers,  barometers,  and  a  rain  gauge." 
Professor  Brackett  has  always  been  in  charge  of 
this  station,  and  his  reports  at  times  have  been  of 
noticeable  value. 

In  1890-91  he  was  excused  from  one  class  daily 
for  a  year  that  he  might  act  as  bookkeeper  for  the 
College.    In  the  absence  of  Professor  Norton,  he 

[158] 


THE  EARLIER  PROFESSORS 

was  dean  of  the  faculty  in  1904-05.  When  the 
erection  of  the  Observatory  was  contemplated,  he 
drew  the  plans  and  made  the  specifications.  He 
also  made  the  sketches  followed  by  the  architect 
in  designing  both  the  inside  and  the  outside  of  the 
Library. 

As  a  man  Professor  Brackett  has  been  a  posi- 
tive factor  all  along  in  Pomona's  history.  At 
the  very  beginning,  by  his  accurate  scholarship, 
clear  thinking  and  sterling  Christian  manhood, 
he  gained  the  respect  of  all,  and  by  reason  of  his 
nearness  to  the  students  in  age,  sympathies  and 
experience  he  quickly  became  popular  with  them 
and  effective  in  his  influence.  His  musical  abil- 
ity, particularly  as  shown  in  his  remarkably  fine 
voice,  added  not  a  little  to  his  attractions.  His 
steady  growth  and  expansion  and  his  simple,  sin- 
cere faith  have  produced  a  personality  of  quiet 
force  and  wide  scope.  His  poise,  his  breadth  of 
view  and  his  strength  are  seen  especially  in  his 
committee  work.  He  has  built  up  the  depart- 
ment of  mathematics,  in  numbers  and  character, 
until  it  ranks  with  the  best  college  departments 
of  mathematics  in  the  country.  Very  many  would 
(|iH'HiIon  wlu'tlior  there  lias  ])een  any  stronger  in- 
fluc.'nce  tlian  liis  in  Die  development  of  Pomona's 
standards  of  scholarship  and  character. 

Prof(,'HSor  ]5rackett  married  a  (laughter  of  one 
of  the  iriflweniial  ])i()n(!ers  of  California,  and  was 
one  of  the  first  members  of  the  faculty  to  build  a 

[  yoi)  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

home  in  Claremont,  a  home  which  has  always 
been  a  center  of  influence.  Mrs.  Brackett  is  an 
artist,  and  has  taken  great  interest  in  the  art  de- 
partment of  the  College.  Repeated  inducements, 
including  one  large  pecuniary  offer,  have  been 
presented  to  draw  this  family  away  from  Po- 
mona, but  they  have  preferred  to  remain  at  a  sac- 
rifice, helping  to  build  up  an  institution  which 
they  steadfastly  believe  is  to  have  a  significant 
part  in  the  extension  of  Christian  civilization. 

Mrs.  H.  A.  Storrs  resigned  her  position  after  a 
successful  year  of  teaching  in  English  and  sci- 
ence. In  her  place  Miss  Phebe  Estelle  Spalding, 
a  graduate  of  Carleton  College,  Minnesota,  came 
to  Pomona  as  a  teacher  of  English  and  modern 
languages.  Professor  Norton  had  been  a  student 
at  Carleton,  and  President  Strong  of  that  insti- 
tution had  spoken  at  Pomona  on  Arbor  Day  the 
year  before,  and  spent  a  week  at  the  home  of  the 
secretary,  so  that  the  two  colleges  were  not 
strangers.  This  relation  was  strengthened 
by  a  generous  donation  of  books  brought  by  Miss 
Spalding  to  the  new  institution,  and  later  by  ad- 
vanced degrees  conferred  on  Miss  Spalding  and 
on  Professor  Norton.  Miss  Spalding  had  been 
brought  up  partly  in  New  England  and  partly  in 
the  great  new  West,  and  had  largely  earned  her 
way  through  college  by  teaching.  At  Pomona 
she  was  librarian  for   some  years,   as   well  as 

[160] 


THE  EAELIER  PROFESSORS 

teacher.  After  two  years  she  was  made  in- 
structor, and  the  following  year  professor  of  Eng- 
lish literature  and  rhetoric.  In  1905  her  profes- 
sorship was  made  English  literature,  although 
she  has  continued  to  teach  the  history  of  art, 
which  she  took  up  with  the  first  college  class. 
The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy  was  given 
her  for  work  done  in  Boston  University. 

In  addition  to  her  varied  work  in  the  classroom 
and  as  librarian,  Miss  Spalding  was  at  one  time 
principal  of  women.  Her  hospitable  home, 
whether  in  college  rooms  or  in  her  own  bunga- 
low, has  been  the  home  of  many  students  and 
many  alumnae  in  their  visits  to  the  College.  Few, 
if  any,  have  formed  and  maintained  more  close 
personal  friendships,  or  have  done  more  to  cre- 
ate social  ideals,  than  has  Miss  Spalding.  Her 
own  experiences,  her  strong  character,  breadth  of 
thought  and  accuracy  of  expression,  and  her 
genial  presence,  have  been  an  inspiration  to  many 
a  young  man  and  young  woman.  Nor  has  her 
influence  been  confined  to  the  College  and  com- 
rriiuiity.  Slu;  has  had  many  invitations  to  speak  in 
oilier  })hices,  near  and  more  remote.  As  an 
jiullior,  too,  she  has  awakened  an  interest  in  the 
older  inhabitants  of  California,  and  made  a  j)laco 
for  herseli'  in  the  literature  of  the  State.  Tlie 
IMiclxi  EHt(;lle  S[)al(ling  Foundation  of  the  Chair 
(»r  l*]nglisli  liilcialurc,  which  she  holds,  was  cre- 
ated in  r.)l(J. 

IIGIJ 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

By  not  a  little  persuasion,  Rev.  Daniel  Her- 
bert Colcord  was  induced  to  leave  the  pastorate 
of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Monrovia  to 
take  up  teaching  at  Pomona.  He  was  born  at 
Danvers,  Massachusetts,  and  graduated  at  Am- 
herst College,  where  also  he  was  given  the  degree 
of  Master  of  Arts,  and  at  Andover  Theological 
Seminary.  His  first  pastorate  was  over  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  at  Bedford,  New  Hampshire, 
from  which  he  came  to  California.  After  a  year 
as  instructor  in  Latin  and  modern  languages  at 
Pomona,  he  was  made  professor  of  the  Latin  lan- 
guage and  literature.  He  was  principal  of  the 
Preparatory  Department  for  two  years,  1904-06. 
While  Professor  Norton  was  away  on  his  first 
sabbatical  year,  1895-96,  Professor  Colcord  was 
acting  dean.  Quite  worn  out  with  his  work,  he 
took  some  months'  rest  in  a  trip  to  the  Hawaiian 
Islands.  He  spent  a  sabbatical  year  in  graduate 
study  at  Harvard  University. 

Professor  Colcord  has  gro^vn  in  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  the  student  body  and  has  a  warm 
place  in  their  affections.  His  department  has  re- 
ceived hearty  commendation  from  the  graduate 
schools  to  which  Pomona  students  have  gone. 
Experience  as  a  pastor  has  added  to  his  useful- 
ness and  efficiency  in  College  and  community  and 
with  the  whole  constituency.  Strong  inducements 
have  been  presented  to  him  to  draw  him  back  into 
the  pastorate,  but  he  has  found  the  path  of  duty 

[162] 


THE  EARLIER  PROFESSORS 

and  privilege  in  toiling  on  in  Pomona,  content 
with  a  small  salary.  His  influence  on  his  stu- 
dents, and  through  them,  reaches  far  out  into  the 
wide  world.  A  remarkable  gift  of  language  has 
made  him  a  model  for  the  members  of  the  Col- 
lege in  matters  forensic.  For  years  he  assisted 
and  drilled  students  in  preparation  for  public 
speaking.  At  Professor  Colcord's  solicitation, 
Mr.  Ezra  Slack,  one  of  his  classmates,  very  kindly 
gave  the  money  for  the  purchase  of  the  college 
bell. 

Mrs.  Colcord  was  graduated  at  Mount  Hol- 
yoke  Seminary  (now  College),  and  with  Mrs. 
Norton  and  others  located  at  Pomona,  has  made 
it  a  center  for  Mount  Holyoke  alumnae.  She  has 
taken  a  great  interest  in  building  up  a  New  Eng- 
land room  in  the  Library.  In  the  Church,  too, 
she  is  an  efficient  w^orker.  Most  fortunate  has 
Pomona  been  in  the  families  of  her  professors. 

Mr.  C.  B.  Sumner  was  elected  professor  of 
Biblical  literature  in  1890,  He  taught  two  or 
three  terms  in  other  departments  before  and  after 
he  had  a  special  professorship,  but  never  for  a 
whole  term  did  he  have  opportunity  to  give  his 
entire  or  his  best  time  and  thought  to  teaching. 
In  1890  he  resigned  his  professorship,  which  was 
practically  sacrificed  in  1893. 

The  position  of  principal  of  the  young  women's 
[163] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

department  gives  one  professorial  rank,  and  al- 
though Miss  Mary  Emily  Harris  is  not  now  on  the 
faculty,  her  long  and  faithful  service  demands 
recognition  in  connection  with  the  earlier  pro- 
fessors. Miss  Harris  came  to  Pomona  with  the 
degree  of  B.  S.  in  1891,  from  Beaver  Falls,  Minne- 
sota, and  remained  seven  years.  No  more  faith- 
ful and  conscientious  worker  could  be  desired. 
An  accurate  scholar,  an  inspiring  teacher,  a 
woman  of  strong  Christian  character  and  high 
ideals,  she  commanded  the  respect  and  won  the 
affections  of  a  large  number  of  the  students. 
There  were  some  who  felt  that  she  leaned  a  little 
toward  authority  rather  than  persuasiveness  in 
her  discipline.  A  few  felt  that  she  was  too  strict. 
Others  might  count  to  her  credit  all  tendencies  in 
these  directions.  Certainly  she  is  held  in  high 
esteem  and  in  tender  remembrance  by  hosts  of  the 
friends  of  the  College,  and  is  regarded  as  one  who 
built  herself  into  the  foundations  of  Pomona. 

The  steadily-increasing  demand  led  to  the  ap- 
pointment in  1892  of  Rev.  Arthur  Dart  Bissell  to 
the  position  of  professor  of  modern  languages. 
Professor  Bissell  was  born  in  India,  of  mission- 
ary parents,  graduated  in  1879  at  Amherst  Col- 
lege, from  which  institution  he  also  received  the 
degree  of  M.  A.,  and  at  Yale  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  1882.  He  has  been  a.  graduate  student  in. 
philosophy,  in  which  he  is  profoundly  interested, 
alt  y al6'  Uiiivei'sity  and  th©  Uaiyersily.  of  Xioipsic. 

[164] 


THE  EARLIER  PROFESSORS 

Denied  the  privilege,  which  he  coveted  most  ear- 
nestly, of  returning  to  the  land  of  his  birth  as  a 
missionary,  he  became  a  teacher  in  the  Hawaiian 
Islands,  and  when  he  was  invited  to  Pomona  had 
recently  come  to  California. 

In  1895-96  he  was  instructor  in  psychology  and 
political  economy,  after  which  he  resumed  the 
title  of  professor  of  modern  languages.  He  has 
a  genius  for  scholarship,  and  is  at  home  in  almost 
every  department,  especially — if  specialty  is  pos- 
sible for  him — in  languages  and  music.  His  en- 
thusiasm in  the  classroom  is  most  inspiring,  and 
weak  indeed  is  the  student  who  does  not  catch  the 
enthusiasm  from  him.  When  not  in  the  class- 
room he  is  seemingly  never  so  happy  as  when 
sitting  at  the  piano  or  organ,  playing  the  most 
difficult  music,  or  leading  or  joining  a  chorus  of 
voices.  Early  familiarity  with  eastern  languages 
has  given  him  peculiar  facility  in  the  pronuncia- 
tion of  other  tongues.  To  him  the  German  lan- 
guage, to  the  teaching  of  which  he  now  confines 
himself,  is  like  his  own. 

His  ancestry  and  his  early  home  in  a  mission- 
ary family  and  on  missionary  ground,  combined 
witli  liis  scliolarly  tastes  and  natural  bent,  have 
}>(;en  commanding  factors  in  the  development  of 
Professor  Bissell's  manhood.  His  vital  interest 
in  every  good  word  and  work,  his  earnestness  and 
conKocn-alion,  liis  self  forgotrulnesH  and  absorp- 
tion in  tli<!  l>UHin(!HH  at  iiand,  nvo  a  constant  source 

[1G5J 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

of  inspiration.  No  doubt  he  would  have  been 
a  potent  factor  in  the  Christianization  of  India 
could  he  have  followed  his  owti  inclinations;  but 
it  would  not  surprise  his  friends  if  he  should  ac- 
complish even  more  for  the  building  ujd  of  the 
Lord 's  kingdom  in  the  world  in  his  present  sphere 
of  labor,  where,  perhaps  all  unknown  to  himself, 
he  influences  no  one  knows  how  many  to  go  and 
do  the  kind  of  work  he  has  been  kept  from  doing. 
The  value  of  such  a  man  to  a  young  college  which 
is  just  forming  its  traditions  is  beyond  the  power 
of  expression. 

Mrs.  Bissell  is  a  woman  of  sterling  character. 
She  often  takes  Mr.  Bissell's  place  at  the  piano. 
The  loss,  by  a  painful  accident,  of  their  eldest 
child,  a  boy  looking  forward  to  his  college  life, 
was  a  great  affliction.  On  certain  of  the  college 
library  shelves  are  found  choice  memorials  of 
that  boy.  The  two  remaining  children,  both 
graduates  of  high  standing  at  Pomona,  are  com- 
mended in  their  graduate  work.  Heredity  is  not 
everything,  but  unquestionably  a  good  inher- 
itance is  a  priceless  treasure. 

In  the  same  year  in  which  a  professorship  of 
modern  languages  was  established  it  was  decided 
to  have  additional  instruction  in  science,  and  Pro- 
fessor George  Gale  Hitchcock  was  employed. 
Professor  Hitchcock,  who  was  graduated  at  the 
University  of  Nebraska  in  1883,  left  a  position  of 

[166] 


THE  EAELIER  PROFESSORS 

better  salary  at  the  Agricultural  College  of 
Washington  to  accept  a  place  in  a  Christian  col- 
lege. His  grandfather  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gale, 
the  founder  of  Knox  College,  and  his  father  spent 
many  years  as  a  teacher  in  that  institution,  so 
that  he  had  grown  up  with  the  ideals  connected 
with  such  a  college.  He  did  graduate  work  at 
Johns  Hopkins  and  Cornell  Universities  before 
coming  to  Pomona,  and  spent  the  year  1912-13  in 
study  at  Cornell  in  the  department  of  physics. 
At  first  Professor  Hitchcock  was  at  the  head 
of  the  departments  of  chemistry  and  physics.  In 
1906  he  gave  up  chemistry,  and  thereafter  de- 
voted himself  to  the  building  up  of  the  depart- 
ment of  physics.  Every  one  at  all  familiar  with 
the  changes  that  have  taken  place  in  these 
branches  of  science  in  the  last  twenty-five  years 
knows  that  only  by  the  most  painstaking  and  per- 
sistent study  could  a  man  keep  abreast  of  his  de- 
partment and  do  the  work  demanded  of  him.  Add 
to  this  imperative  necessity  the  lack  of  equipment 
and  the  many  hindrances  and  inconveniences  in- 
evitable in  a  young  college,  and  one  begins  to  con- 
ceive some  of  the  difficulties  with  which  Professor 
Hitchcock  has  had  to  contend.  For  conscientious 
fidelity,  for  watchful  and  interested  attention  to 
(!ach  individual  student,  and  for  Ihoroughncss  of 
instruction,  he  has  few  criuals.  His  students  al- 
ways bring  back  a  good  report  from  more  ad- 
vanc(!(l  inHtilutions,  and  iKiver  have  reason  to  be 

[1G7] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ashamed  of  their  first  instructor.  Some  of  them 
have  already  won  high  and  honorable  positions. 

Professor  Hitchcock's  practical  turn  of  mind 
has  made  him  an  authority  in  all  the  applications 
of  gas  and  electricity.  His  love  of  music,  too,  and 
especially  his  knowledge  of  the  organ,  together 
with  his  aptitude  for  mechanics,  have  made  him 
exceedingly  useful  outside  his  profession.  From 
him  came  the  suggestion  that  the  College  Seal 
should  be  put  into  heraldic  form.  The  work  was 
done  with  minute  regard  to  correctness  of  detail 
by  a  friend  of  his  who  had  made  a  study  of  such 
matters,  Mr.  Frank  Van  Vleck. 

Professor  Hitchcock's  son,  a  graduate  of  Po- 
mona and  a  fine  scholar,  had  the  pleasure  of  a 
year 's  study  with  his  father  in  the  physics  depart- 
ment at  Cornell  University  in  1912-13. 

By  both  example  and  precept  Professor  Hitch- 
cock is  a  constant  witness  to  students  and  faculty, 
to  Church  and  community,  of  the  value  and  effi- 
ciency of  the  genuine  Christian  life.  Many  stu- 
dents have  found  a  home  in  his  home,  and  enjoy 
returning  from  time  to  time  as  alumni  and  renew- 
ing their  fellowship  with  his  family.  Mrs.  Hitch- 
cock is  the  daughter  of  a  Methodist  Episcopal 
minister,  and  is  in  fullest  sympathy  with  her  hus- 
band 's  ideals. 

"When  it  became  necessary,  a  year  and  a  half 
later  than  the  coming  of  Professor  Hitchcock,  to 

[168] 


THE  EARLIER  PROFESSORS 

teach  biology,  President  Baldwin  suggested  his 
brother-in-law,  Professor  Albert  John  Cook,  with 
a  promise  from  his  father  to  pay  Professor 
Cook's  salary  for  three  years.  Professor  Cook,  a 
graduate  of  Michigan  Agricultural  College,  from 
which  he  later  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Science,  and  a  graduate  student  at  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, left  an  important  position  in  his  Alma 
Mater  to  take  up  the  work  at  Pomona,  as  a  dis- 
tinctively Christian  college.  He  loves  his  chosen 
work,  and  thoroughly  believes  in  its  supreme  util- 
ity for  every  young  man  and  young  woman.  His 
overflowing  enthusiasm  never  wanes  in  the  pres- 
ence of  his  pupils.  His  optimism,  too,  is  always 
conspicuous.  His  sympathetic  interest  in  every 
one  draws  students  close  to  him,  giving  him  influ- 
ence with  many  in  his  classroom  and  outside  of 
his  classes.  His  department  grew  rapidly  in  num- 
bers and  in  influence. 

Nor  was  his  influence  confined  to  the  student 
body  and  the  College.  Opportunity  was  given 
him  by  the  College  to  do  outside  work  as  he  had 
done  in  Micliigan,  and  he  entered  upon  it  at  once. 
Ho  always  has  given  particular  attention  to  the 
practicMl  side  of  his  profession,  liaving  associated 
)riuch  witli  rarinerH  and  advised  and  worked  with 
them.  In  Michigan  Ik;  inaugurated  farmers'  chibs 
vvlii(;h  becanu!  a  power  economically  and  pollli- 
cally  in  tlu;  Slate.  }h\  also  conducted  fanners* 
inHt,itut,<!.s  tliroughout  the  State.  W'lien  he  came  to 

[1G9J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

California  he  was  put  in  charge  of  such  institutes 
by  the  State  University,  and  made  them  widely 
useful.  Also  he  encouraged  the  formation  of 
farmers'  clubs,  which  soon  became  quite  numer- 
ous. Some  of  them,  particularly  the  Claremont 
Horticultural  Club,  have  been  and  still  are  of 
great  value.  His  appointment  in  1911  as  Commis- 
sioner of  Agriculture  of  the  State  of  California 
w^as  indeed  a  fitting  recognition  of  the  work  he 
had  done  and  was  capable  of  doing.  Into  this  new 
field  of  influence  Dr.  Cook  entered  with  his  wonted 
enthusiasm.  There  were  some  important  under- 
takings which  he  was  anxious  to  accomplish, 
which  he  believed  would  result  to  the  benefit  of 
the  farmers  and  thus  to  the  prosperity  of  the 
State.  He  will  spare  no  effort  to  insure  success. 
Perhaps  no  man  has  had  a  wider  influence  in  his 
field  of  labor  in  this  part  of  the  State  for  the  past 
nineteen  years  than  Professor  Cook ;  and  this  in- 
fluence has  centered  in  Pomona  College.  He  is 
devoted  to  the  ideals  of  Pomona,  and  has  worked 
for  her  early  and  late. 

When,  in  1897-98,  it  became  necessary  for  Pro- 
fessor C.  B.  Sumner  to  be  excused  from  his 
classes  for  financial  work,  and  Professor  Brackett 
needed  help,  Mr.  George  Stedman  Sumner  was 
made  instructor  in  Biblical  literature  and  mathe- 
matics. He  was  a  graduate  of  Pomona's  first 
class,  and  took  both  the  B.  A.  and  the  Ph.  D.  de- 

[170] 


THE  EARLIER  PROFESSORS 

gree  at  Yale  University.  The  second  year  he  was 
made  instructor  in  history  and  mathematics. 
Two  years  later  he  was  appointed  associate  pro- 
fessor of  history  and  economics.  Again  in  two 
years  he  was  made  professor  of  history  and  in- 
structor in  economics.  In  1905,  when  about  to  go 
away  for  his  sabbatical  year,  having  been  urged 
to  make  the  work  of  economics  primary  rather 
than  that  of  history,  he  referred  the  matter  to  the 
faculty,  only  insisting  that  the  decision  be  final, 
in  order  that  he  might  know  how  best  to  use  his 
year  of  study  for  the  benefit  of  his  profession. 
On  recommendation  of  the  faculty  his  professor- 
ship was  then  changed  to  that  of  economics  and 
sociology. 

Professor  Sumner  does  not  count  as  one  of  the 
*'01d  Guard,"  all  of  whom  were  his  teachers.  At 
the  same  time,  he  took  a  position  on  the  faculty 
only  three  and  a  half  years  after  Professor  Cook, 
and  five  years  after  Professors  Hitchcock  and 
Bissell,  while  he  was  a  teacher  seven  years  before 
any  subsequent  head  of  department  now  in  serv- 
ice. To  the  great  body  of  the  alumni,  therefore, 
ho  is  classed  with  the  earlier  rather  than  with  the 
later  professors.  He  keeps  fully  informed  of  the 
literature  on  the  subjects  that  he  teaches,  has 
used  bolli  sabl)atical  years  in  the  study  of  practi- 
cal work  in  the  largo  cities  of  this  country  and 
Kurop(*,  and  has  carried  his  roKoarclnvs  into  Aus- 
tralia, New  Z(;aland,  tiie   IMiilippincH,  Ciiina  and 

[171 J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Japan.  As  a  teacher  he  has  a  wide  range  of  facts 
at  command  and  states  his  points  clearly  and 
strongly.  In  committee  work  his  familiarity  with 
his  own  and  other  institutions  and  his  thoughtful 
consideration  of  academic  matters  give  him  spe- 
cial influence. 

Miss  Harris  was  followed  in  the  young 
women 's  department  in  1898-99  by  Miss  Mary  Ma- 
tilda McLean  (Mrs.  Richard  Olney),  with  the  titles 
of  dean  and  instructor  in  English.  Miss  Mc- 
Lean's dignity  and  strength  of  character  and  her 
very  close  sympathy  with  the  students  gave  her 
unusual  success  in  spite  of  inexperience.  The 
College  was  very  sorry  to  part  with  her  at  the 
end  of  the  year,  while  rejoicing  in  her  anticipated 
happiness  in  a  home  of  her  o^vn. 

Miss  Mary  Elizabeth  Allen,  a  graduate  of  the 
University  of  Michigan,  succeeded  Miss  McLean 
in  the  care  of  the  j'oung  women  for  three  years. 
At  first  she  was  acting  dean  and  instructor  in 
Latin  and  Greek.  Later  she  was  elected  assistant 
professor  in  Latin  and  Greek,  which  position  she 
continued  to  fill  until  1909,  when  she  resigned. 
Miss  Allen  was  a  conscientious,  faithful  and  in- 
spiring teacher.  While  her  health  did  not  permit 
her  to  continue  the  care  of  the  young  women,  her 
influence  was  always  positive  and  helpful  in  that 
which  is  highest  and  noblest  in  character  and 
in  pursuit.    She  continues  to  live  under  the  wing 

[  172  ] 


THE  EARLIER  PROFESSORS 

of   the   College   and  to   have   some   part   in  its 
activities. 

Not  even  a  novice  in  college  history  can  fail  to 
notice  the  small  number  of  the  changes  in  the 
earlier  faculty,  as  represented  in  this  review.  In 
fact,  every  one  of  the  heads  of  departments  of 
earlier  years,  eight  in  all,  is  still  at  Pomona,  ex- 
cept Professor  Cook,  who  retired  in  1911  at  the 
age  of  seventy  years.  No  note  is  here  taken  of 
Professor  Frederick  Starr,  who  remained  only 
two  or  three  months,  and  gave  only  a  part  of  that 
time  to  the  College;  nor  of  Professor  Shaw,  who 
was  here  but  a  few  weeks.  If  the  inquiry  into  the 
present  working  force  be  pressed  further,  it  will 
be  found  that  these  same  professors  of  the  earlier 
days  are  still  among  the  most  influential  and  ef- 
fective workers.  Has  not  this  fact,  so  unusual  in 
such  institutions,  much  to  do  with  Pomona's  fa- 
vorable record? 


[173  J 


CHAPTER  XII 

THE  COLLEGE  CAMPUS 
A  marked  feature  of  the  modern  educational 
institution  is  the  campus.  And  this  term 
''campus"  has  come  to  have  a  much  wider  mean- 
ing than  it  had  a  few  years  ago.  It  was  then 
considered  sufficient  to  provide  ample  room  for 
buildings,  with  a  little  walking  and  breathing 
space  between  them.  Now  even  high  schools  and 
graded  schools  must  have  space  for  athletics  for 
both  boys  and  girls.  The  school  authorities  of 
Los  Angeles  County  did  not  wish  to  accept  a  site 
for  a  high  school  in  Claremont  with  less  than  ten 
acres.  Yale  University,  unable  to  obtain  a  large 
enough  campus  near  its  buildings,  has  recently 
gone  out  a  mile  or  two  and  set  apart  extensive 
fields  for  all  forms  of  athletics,  with  provision  for 
immense  audiences  to  witness  the  games  of  the 
students.  Such  facts  as  these  give  to  the  history 
of  Pomona's  campus  a  wide  importance. 

The  history  of  many  a  college  and  university 
includes  a  story  of  an  outgrown  campus,  of  en- 
largement on  this  side  and  that  or  great  changes 
in  the  plant,  frequently  even  with  the  abandon- 
ment of  the  original  site  for  one  more  ample  and 
adaptable.    These  changes  take  place  invariably 

[1741 


THE  COLLEGE  CAMPUS 

after  the  population  has  crowded  about  the  insti- 
tution, rendering  the  desired  extension  difficult  if 
not  practically  impossible,  and  after  prices  of 
real  estate  actually  available  have  increased  enor- 
mously. As  a  result,  the  ideal  campus,  if  still  pos- 
sible, involves  extensions  which  cost  well-nigh 
enough  to  have  endowed  the  college  at  first.  This 
condition  does  not  always  arise  from  lack  of  fore- 
thought nor  from  the  expansion  of  original  plans. 
It  may  result  from  the  fact  that  in  early  days  even 
the  small  cost  of  purchasing  adequate  land  is 
utterly  out  of  the  question. 

The  friends  of  Pomona  were  happy  in  securing 
the  Claremont  campus,  as  well  suited  to  its  pur- 
pose. It  consisted  of  about  nine  acres.  They 
knew  very  well  that  it  was  too  small  for  college 
purposes,  but  they  were  at  the  time  planning  for  a 
preparatory  school  only  in  this  location.  The 
process  of  enlargement  began  as  soon  as  this  site 
was  adopted  for  the  location  of  the  College.  Some 
lots  of  land  which  it  was  felt  would  ultimately  be 
needed  for  the  College  were  obtained  by  exchange 
and  by  solicitation.  From  time  to  time,  under 
favorable  conditions,  purchases  have  been  made. 
While  in  this  way  thousands  of  dollars  have  been 
saved  in  s(!curing  the  present  campus,  thousands 
of  dollars  have  been  lost  because  it  was  impossi- 
ble to  take  advantage  of  opportunities  afforded. 
'J'Im;  CnMii)UH  is  still  inconipletc;  by  reason  of  the 
difliculty  of  securing  a  v(!iy  I'cw  improved  lots  on 

[  175  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Harvard  Avenue  between  Third  and  Fourth 
Streets ;  but  its  outlines  are  clearly  defined  and  it 
comprises  over  a  hundred  acres. 

During  President  Baldwin's  administration  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  closed  one  or  two  parts  of 
streets,  and  in  the  winter  of  1913-14  the  city  trus- 
tees closed  one  or  two  more,  leaving  practically 
the  entire  college  grounds  with  only  one  public 
highway.  College  Avenue,  crossing  it. 

The  parkways  of  Fifth  Street  between  Harvard 
and  College  Avenues  have  been  widened  ten  feet 
on  either  side  by  the  city  trustees,  and  it  is 
planned  to  extend  Fourth  and  Fifth  Streets  along 
either  side  of  the  Central  Campus  to  the  east  line 
of  the  mesa,  for  passenger  traffic  only.  This  will 
give  ready  access  to  all  the  buildings,  for  light 
travel, — pleasure  or  business, — while  relieving 
the  Campus  of  much  hea\'y"  and  undesirable  traf- 
fic. On  College  Avenue  the  city  has  widened  the 
parkways  through  the  college  grounds,  and  the 
College,  while  widening  the  sidewalks  from  five  to 
eight  feet,  has  cooperated  with  the  city  by  giving 
up  a  portion  of  the  original  sidewalk  to  the  park- 
ways and  putting  the  new  sidewalk  in  part  on  its 
own  land.  The  generous,  expansive  effect  is  fine, 
and  is  enhanced  by  the  clumps  of  tall-growing 
eucalyptus  trees  set  out  at  the  corners  of  all 
driveways  and  opposite  those  already  planted, 
by  ornamental  shrubs  and  by  the  wide  lawn,  al- 
ready in  fine  order,  on  the  west  side. 

[176] 


THE  COLLEGE  CAMPUS 

The  class  of  1913  very  generously  left  money 
with  which  to  introduce  a  new  lighting  scheme 
providing  for  the  replacing  of  the  old  system  on 
College  Avenue  with  concrete  posts  surmounted 
with  ground  glass  globes.  Likewise,  by  the  kind- 
ness of  a  friend  whose  name  is  withheld,  still  fur- 
ther improvements  have  been  made  on  the  Avenue 
and  on  Sixth  Street — evidently  the  beginning  of 
changes  that  will  add  greatly  to  the  beauty  and 
attractiveness  of  the  college  grounds. 

A  great  boon  came  a  few  years  ago  in  the  ac- 
quisition of  a  tract  of  land  comprising  sixty-seven 
acres,  long  known  as  ''The  Wash,"  adjoining  the 
original  campus  on  the  east  and  extending  from 
Sixth  Street  south  to  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad.  It 
embraces  the  bed  of  an  old  winter  torrent,  an 
overflow  of  the  mountain  stream,  that  for  ages  in 
the  rainy  months  went  leaping  down  among  the 
cactus  and  the  rocks,  damming  itself  up  here  and 
there,  deflected  on  this  side  and  that  by  the  debris, 
leaving  wide  desolation  and  waste  in  its  wake. 
Along  the  banks,  sheltered  by  the  rocks,  had 
grown  up  clumps  of  cactus,  thistles,  and  bushes 
of  all  sorts,  interspersed  with  running  vines  ren- 
dering crossing  diflicult,  and  often  making  largo 
spaces  W(!ll-nigli  unap[)roacliable.  At  the  same 
lime,  here  and  there  in  the  midst  of  the  debris 
was  a  magniflcent  live  oak  or  a  picturesque 
Hycarnoi'c. 

lieyond  tlie  old  Wash  was  a  l>road  expanse,  witli 

[177] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

thousands  of  live  oaks  of  every  size  and  shape, 
many  with  huge  knotted  trunks  and  extended 
branches  gnarled  and  twisted  in  fantastic  forms, 
marking  the  growth  of  centuries,  if  not  millen- 
niums. Occasionally  were  found  little  groves  of 
straight,  vigorous  trees  in  the  prime  of  life; 
again,  clumps  of  low,  crooked-limbed  sycamores; 
large  beds  of  cactus  of  many  varieties,  bunches 
of  California  mahogany,  chaparral  of  countless 
names  and  charms ;  beautiful  flowery  shrubs,  and 
extended  spaces,  in  some  seasons  carpeted  with 
brilliant  bloom  of  varied  hues.  For  several  hun- 
dred feet,  running  north  and  south  through  the 
middle  of  this  tract,  was  a  table-land  twenty  to 
thirty  feet  high  and  one  or  two  hundred  feet 
wide,  covered  wih  a  very  rich  soil. 

In  spite  of  the  difficulty  of  approach  to  the  at- 
tractive parts  of  this  tract,  they  were  quickly 
explored  by  the  students  and  became  much  fre- 
quented. The  little  mesa  was  the  place  for  pic- 
nics, and  one  spot  was  appropriated  for  various 
out-of-door  meetings.  The  possibilities  of  the  en- 
tire tract  appealed  strongly  to  some  of  the  friends 
of  the  College,  and  how  to  get  possession  of  it 
was  a  frequent  subject  of  thought  and  discussion. 
No  way,  however,  seemed  open,  in  view  of  the 
many  and  immediately  pressing  needs  of  the  Col- 
lege. One  day  it  was  learned  with  consternation 
that  five  acres  of  the  coveted  Wash  had  been  sold ; 
that,  too,  the  portion  adjoining  the  campus  along 

[178] 


THE  COLLEGE  CAMPUS 

the  northeast  boundary.  The  news  called  for  ac- 
tion. By  the  kindly  interest  of  Messrs.  Nichols, 
Palmer  and  Hinckley,  directors  of  the  Pomona 
Land  and  Water  Company,  by  which  the  tract  was 
controlled,  a  very  favorable  proposition  was  re- 
ceived by  the  College  for  the  purchase  of  the  sixty 
acres  remaining  in  their  hands.  The  Board  of 
Trustees  was  led  now  to  favor  the  purchase, 
which  was  made  possible  at  this  time  by  the  offer 
of  a  loan  for  a  long  period  at  five  per  cent, 
interest. 

It  then  became  necessary  to  obtain  the  five 
acres  already  sold,  which  was  accomplished  with 
some  difficulty.  There  remained  about  two  acres 
in  the  southwest  corner,  between  Second  Street 
and  the  railroad,  to  complete  the  tract.  This  was 
in  the  hands  of  the  Santa  Fe  Railway  Company. 
Mr.  A.  P.  Maginnis,  an  official  of  that  company, 
who  lived  in  Claremont  for  a  year  or  two  and  was 
interested  in  the  College,  very  kindly  offered  to 
secure  this  piece,  and  induced  the  company  to 
deed  it  to  the  college  for  park  purposes. 

Thus  Pomona  became  the  proud  possessor 
of  ''The  Wash,"  a  grand  enlargement  of  the 
campus,  which  has  been  growing  in  the  estimation 
of  all  the  friends  of  the  College  every  year  and 
every  day  since  it  was  acquired.  Not  long  after 
coming  into  possesaion  of  this  property,  a  meet- 
ing of  the  trustee  Committee  on  Buildings  and 
Grounds  was  called  at  C'laremont.     Mr.  Marslon 

[  170  \ 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

came  up  from  San  Diego,  bringing  Mr.  Cook,  who 
represented  Samuel  Parsons  and  Company  of 
New  York,  landscape  architects;  and  Mr.  A.  K. 
Smiley  came  from  Redlands,  bringing  his  brother, 
Mr.  Daniel  Smiley.  After  going  very  carefully 
over  the  newly-acquired  tract,  all  were  impressed 
profoundly  with  its  natural  beauty  and  its  possi- 
bilities in  relation  to  the  rest  of  the  campus.  The 
Smiley  brothers  pronounced  it  of  untold  value  to 
the  college,  agreeing  that  for  college  purposes  it 
was  quite  ideal.  They  questioned  whether,  taking 
all  the  conditions  into  account,  its  equal  could  be 
found  anywhere  on  the  Pacific  Coast. 

The  same  day,  after  looking  over  the  Library 
site  and  the  land  about  it,  and  finding  that  several 
lots  were  not  yet  owned  by  the  College,  Mr.  Mar- 
ston  offered,  provided  the  remainder  of  the  block 
should  be  secured,  to  pay  for  plotting  the  ground 
and  designating  the  trees  to  be  planted  for  a  per- 
manent park.  The  lots  were  obtained,  partly  by 
exchange  and  partly  by  purchase,  and  the  west 
half  of  this  block  thus  came  into  the  possession 
of  the  College  without  any  legal  restriction  rest- 
ing upon  it.  The  east  half  had  been  deeded  to  the 
College  for  park  purposes,  with  the  provision  that 
a  library  might  be  built  upon  it,  but  no  other 
building.  In  due  time  Mr.  Cook  laid  out  the 
Library  block  for  the  general  purpose  of  a  park, 
with  a  place  for  a  library  building  on  the  east  half, 
and  a  possible  college  building  of  some  sort  on 


THE  COLLEGE  CAMPUS 

the  west  half,  in  accordance  with  Mr.  Marston's 
provision. 

After  full  discussion  it  was  decided  by  the  com- 
mittee to  lay  out  the  ''"Wash"  park  so  as  to  retain 
as  far  as  possible  its  natural  conditions,  suf^ple- 
menting  the  trees  and  shrubs,  as  might  be  needed, 
in  such  manner  as  should  harmonize  with  the  nat- 
ural growth.  Mr.  Cook,  at  Mr.  Marston's  ex- 
pense, plotted  the  drives  and  walks,  happily 
emphasizing  the  peculiar  beauties  of  the  location, 
and  appointed  the  varieties  and  the  number  of 
trees  to  be  planted  wherever  the  present  growth 
was  insufficient.  On  the  very  day  the  committee 
met,  Mr.  Blanchard  proposed  to  pay  for  this  in- 
valuable addition  to  the  campus,  and  it  was 
named  in  his  honor,  Blanchard  Park. 

It  having  been  ascertained  that  Mr.  Myron 
Hunt  of  Los  Angeles,  of  the  firm  of  Myron  Hunt 
and  Elmer  Grey,  Architects,  had  visited  twenty- 
five  or  thirty  of  the  principal  universities  and  col- 
leges of  the  country,  and  had  made  a  special 
study  of  college  grounds  and  their  histories,  he 
was  asked  to  look  over  Pomona's  campus  and 
make  suggestions.  He  came  to  Claremont  and 
mad(!  a  tliorough  exainination  of  the  grounds,  in- 
cluding JManchard  Park.  The  faculty  coniniillee 
on  buildings  and  grounds,  with  President  Gates 
and  Mr.  Sumner  of  the  trustee  connnittee,  came 
tog(!Ui(!r  to  hear  his  report.  AVIk'U  his  ])lan  was 
iml  ui)on  ilic  hlackboaid  and  fully  explained  those 

[181  J 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

present  heartily  accepted  it.  After  submission  to 
the  absent  members  of  the  trustee  Committee,  the 
plan  was  explained  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and 
was  unanimously  approved  and  adopted  as  the 
outline  plan  to  be  followed.  Mr.  Hunt  printed  a 
little  pamphlet  portraying  his  scheme,  with  maps. 
Surveys  w^ere  made  later,  levels  taken,  and  Smi- 
ley Hall  was  the  first  building  erected  in  accord- 
ance with  the  new  plan.  Still  later  the  survey  was 
extended  over  the  park,  and  the  levels  taken  so 
that  there  might  be  a  unity  of  plan  for  the  entire 
grounds,  to  which  any  development  in  the  future 
should  conform.  Such  a  plan  is  expansive,  com- 
prehensive and  adaptive,  and  though  it  take  hun- 
dreds of  years  to  fill  it  out,  jet  it  contemplates  a 
harmony  of  design  and  orderly  convenience  which 
need  never  be  infringed. 

The  Alumni  Athletic  Field  is  partly  on  the  old 
campus  adjoining  the  gjTimasium,  but  mostly  in 
the  added  tract.  Brackett  Observatory  is  east  of 
the  athletic  field,  and  near  the  north  end  of  the 
little  table-land  in  the  midst  of  the  park. 

A  little  south  of  the  observatory  and  on  the  east 
side  of  the  table-land  is  the  Greek  Theater,  which 
is  as  yet  far  from  complete.  Though  many  of  its 
possibilities  are  still  in  embryo,  nevertheless  the 
time  and  thought  that  have  been  given  to  it  by 
the  alumni,  the  enthusiasm  shoA\Ti  by  some  of  the 
later  graduating  classes,  its  use  for  the  class  play, 
for  the  historical  pageant  and  for  a  variety  of 

[182] 


THE  COLLEGE  CAMPUS 

other  purposes,  together  with  the  general  expec- 
tation created,  betoken  a  matter  not  only  of  pres- 
ent interest  and  importance,  but  also  of  great 
future  significance. 

The  idea  of  a  Greek  theater  has  been  a  growth, 
the  natural  outcome  of  prevailing  conditions.  In 
the  earliest  years  the  graduating  classes  had  some 
kind  of  a  fun-producing  entertainment  on  Tues- 
day afternoon  of  Commencement  "week,  out  in  the 
"Wash."  Later  this  gave  place  to  an  evening  en- 
tertainment more  or  less  informal.  For  a  few  years 
each  graduating  class  gave  a  play  with  local  color- 
ing. At  present  the  ''Wash  Program"  takes  the 
form  of  a  play  written  by  one  or  more  members  of 
the  class.  These  gatherings  continued  to  be  on  the 
mesa,  were  free  to  all,  and  became  immensely  pop- 
ular, drawing  thousands  of  spectators.  At  length 
the  increasing  size  of  the  audiences  made  it  nec- 
essary to  scat  them  upon  the  sloping  side  of  the 
mesa  instead  of  upon  the  top.  After  a  while  it 
became  difficult  to  arrange  seats  even  there,  so 
that  all  could  see  and  hear.  Thus  arose  the  sug- 
gestion of  an  out-of-doors  auditorium,  a  place 
where  not  only  this  entertainment  but  many 
other  larg(!  gMtherings  during  the  year  iniglit  be 
held.  Hardly  had  the  alunini  completed  the  atli- 
letic  fi(;ld  wlusn  they  began  to  talk  and  ])lan  for 
Hucli  an  auditorium.  The  class  of  11)10  took  up 
th(!  matter  seriously,  and  subscribed  tweuly  five 
liundr(!(l  (lollarH  with  which  to  start  the  eulerpriso 

[  la-^  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

by  securing  an  architect  and  building  the  stage. 
Mr.  Myron  Hunt  undertook  to  make  the  plans. 
He  studied  the  style  of  architecture,  visited  the 
Greek  Theater  at  the  University  of  California, 
and  finally  presented  plans  which  were  adopted. 
They  contemplate  a  very  extensive  and  beautiful 
structure,  to  include,  when  completed,  spacious 
reception  rooms;  a  very  large  stage  with  all 
needed  dressing  and  retiring  rooms,  and  ar- 
ranged with  a  background  of  live-oak  trees;  an 
auditorium  adapted  to  small  audiences  of  a  few 
hundred  and  to  audiences  of  four  or  five  thousand, 
with  every  convenience;  the  whole  to  be  ulti- 
mately embellished  with  stately  columns,  colon- 
nades, cornices,  and  various  ornamentation, 
producing  a  rich  and  imposing  effect.  At  the 
present  time  the  retaining  wall  for  the  stage,  and 
the  stage  floor,  the  retaining  walls  at  the  ends  of 
the  seats,  the  south  and  part  of  the  north  tunnel 
through  which  the  audience  now  enters,  are  built. 
The  orchestra  is  complete ;  also  the  diadzoma  and 
the  formation  of  the  whole  auditorium.  Some  of 
the  lower  seats  are  made  of  concrete,  and  much 
of  the  filling  is  done,  affording  a  footing  for  tiers 
of  concrete  seats  and  a  foundation  for  bleachers 
sufficient  to  accommodate  an  audience  of  four 
thousand.  Henceforth,  by  the  expenditure  of  a 
small  sum  of  money  at  a  time,  the  work  may  be 
economically  carried  to  completion. 
The  location  has  been  so  selected  that  hardly  a 

[184] 


THE  COLLEGE  CAMPUS 

tree  has  been  injured,  and  at  the  same  time  ad- 
vantage has  been  taken  of  some  fine  trees  at  the 
rear  of  the  stage,  happily  situated  for  scenic  ef- 
fect and  for  shade.  Tall-growing  eucalyptus  trees 
are  being  set  out  to  afford  full  shade  in  due  time. 
The  plan  embraces  entrances  through  tunnels 
from  the  college  side  on  the  west,  while  the  main 
entrances  are  to  be  on  the  front,  at  the  northeast 
and  southeast  corners.  The  front  when  finished 
is  to  be  quite  elaborate,  reserving  the  trees  for  a 
background.  Ornamental  grounds  for  parking 
automobiles  have  been  arranged. 

In  a  number  of  the  ''Metate"  is  an  appreciation 
of  Blanchard  Park,  from  the  student's  viewpoint: 
''The  botanist's  ideal  resort,  where  he  can  wan- 
der at  will,  and  almost  for  the  wishing  possess 
himself  of  the  treasures  of  plant  and  bush  which 
his  needs  demand;  where  he  may  revel  in  floral 
life,  and  often  and  again  disclose  the  beauties  of 
some  flower  which  but  for  his  searching  eye  would 
have  been  'born  to  blush  unseen.'  A  place  where 
two  or  three  can  stroll  together  and  be  alone, 
where  it  is  as  natural  to  be  free  and  easy  and 
unconstrained  as  life  itself  is  natural;  wliere 
tliose  true  and  precious  and  ennobling  friendships 
wliich  college;  students  can  best  know  may  bo 
firmly  cemented  and  strongly  tried.  A  s[)ot  wliere 
on(!  can  We  in  yjcacr;  to  study  or  to  think  or  sleep, 
witli  nothing  to  disturh  his  (juiet  save  the  sooth- 

[  lHr>  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ing  whisperings  of  the  leaves,  the  chatter  of  an  oc- 
casional jay,  or  now  and  then  the  scurrying  of  a 
rabbit ;  a  realm  of  rest  and  peace.  A  place  where 
the  student,  if  he  will,  can  get  away  from  himself ; 
where  the  baser  nature  and  commoner  things  can 
be  put  aside,  where  he  can  boldly  face  the  prob- 
lems of  life,  and  the  future  with  its  hopes  and 
ambitions,  its  fears  and  its  battles,  and  where 
thought  can  bring  him  a  true  and  pure  inspiration 
to  mold  his  character,  to  govern  his  course  and  to 
shape  his  destiny." 


[186] 


CHAPTER  XIII 

CHRISTIAN  LIFE  AT  POMONA 

The  revived  and  increasing  attention  now  given 
to  religious  education,  alike  on  the  Pacific  Coast, 
in  the  Middle  West  and  on  the  Atlantic  Coast,  in- 
dicates significant  reaction  from  that  non-reli- 
gious trend  of  the  public  schools  which  has  been 
especially  noticeable  since  the  multiplication  of 
high  schools  and  the  institution  of  state  universi- 
ties. It  is  found  that  education  without  moral 
and  religious  training,  even  though  it  be  carried 
on  through  the  high  school  and  the  university, 
does  not  insure  good  citizenship.  The  number  of 
educated  men  and  women  brought  before  the 
courts,  and  found  in  jails  and  prisons,  is  alarm- 
ing. Evidently  moral  and  religious  instruction  is 
neglected.  Statesmen  and  educators  and  thinking 
men  in  all  the  walks  of  life  are  getting  together, 
as  in  the  Rfjligious  Education  Association,  to  dis- 
cuss this  matter  and  try  to  find  some  remedy  for 
conditions  so  def)loral>l<'.  Vow  indecMl  would  re- 
turn to  llie  old-time  alliance  of  Chui'cli  and  State, 
y(»t  all  beli(;ve  tliat  there  were  certain  benefits 
under  those  conditions,  in  the  training  of  men  and 
women  of  eluiractei-,  which  it  is  Imix'd  m.iy  >('!  be 
gained  in  otiier  ways, 

[187  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

The  founders  of  Pomona  made  the  Christian 
ideal  fundamental  and  primal  in  its  organization. 
Nor  has  this  side  of  college  life  been  lost  sight  of 
by  the  trustees  and  faculty.  The  test  of  fitness 
and  purpose  to  build  up  Christian  manhood  and 
womanhood  has  been  applied  to  every  permanent 
officer  and  teacher,  and  so  far  as  practicable  to 
every  temporary  instructor  and  employee.  Not 
only  so,  but  every  friend  of  the  College  is  encour- 
aged to  help  bring  to  bear  from  outside  the  curric- 
ulum every  influence  possible  in  this  direction. 
Efforts  are  steadily  made  to  keep  in  touch  with 
the  movements  of  strong,  effective,  illuminating 
Christian  characters  all  over  the  world,  and  so  far 
as  possible  to  bring  them  before  the  student  body. 
The  list  of  such  men  and  women  with  whom  the 
College  has  been  brought  into  touch  is  surpris- 
ingly large.  Pomona  is  by  many  supposed  to  be 
remote  and  rather  isolated;  and  perhaps  it  was 
somewhat  so  in  the  earlier  days;  but  in  recent 
years,  with  the  tide  of  travel  in  this  direction, 
there  are  few  educational  institutions  in  the  coun- 
try, outside  the  great  centers  of  population  in  the 
East,  which  offer  more  frequent  opportunities  to 
hear  speakers  and  leaders  of  the  highest  type 
than  are  afforded  at  Pomona.  The  keeping  of 
high  ideals  before  the  College  helps  not  only  to 
develop  individual  character,  but  also  to  stimulate 
united  effort  to  lift  the  home  life  to  a  higher 
standard.      With    this    in   mind,    while    without 

[188] 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  AT  POMONA 

shrinking  the  College  applies  all  the  tests  of  sci- 
entific and  scholarly  attainment  to  Pomona,  it 
regards  the  supreme  test  of  her  success  as  her 
religious  life.  By  this  is  not  meant  any  particu- 
lar form  or  manifestation  of  religious  zeal,  but  a 
deep,  abiding,  controlling  religious  purpose. 

While  at  first  intimately  connected  with  the  Pil- 
grim Church  at  Pomona,  and  afterward  with  the 
Church  at  Claremont,  Pomona  College,  like  other 
personalities,  has  a  distinct  Christian  life  of  her 
own.  Pilgrim  Church  was  the  mother  church,  and 
no  mother  ever  cared  more  tenderly  and  sympa- 
thetically for  her  child  than  for  four  years  this 
church  cared  for  Pomona  College.  And  this  lov- 
ing care  was  returned  with  loving  service  through 
all  these  years.  Nor  did  this  delightful  relation- 
ship terminate  with  the  organization  of  the 
Church  at  Claremont.  The  bonds  which  had  held 
church  and  college  so  closely  and  happily  together 
were  enduring.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frary  were 
adopted  into  the  College,  and  visits  were  often 
exchanged,  with  the  consciousness  that  a  home 
welcome  was  always  in  waiting.  Mr.  Frary  was 
enjoyed  in  Claremont,  and  many  connected  with 
tlie  College  found  frequent  opportunity  to  hear 
him  in  his  own  pulpit.  To  this  day  Pilgrim 
Cliurch  is  very  dear  to  many  by  reason  of  tiiose 
ties  which  wore  so  strongly  woven.  Tlie  Sunday 
ministry  and  the  ministry  of  the  midweek  prayer 
meetings  are  not  forgotten ;  nor  are  the  frequent 

[189] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

personal  services ;  and  tliey  have  all  done  much  to 
shape  and  encourage  Christian  activities  at  Po- 
mona. Those  early  days,  so  fruitful  in  forming- 
precedents,  did  not  lack  in  precedents  pertaining 
to  the  Christian  life.  The  independence  of  out- 
side help  on  the  part  of  Pilgrim  Church,  and  her 
remarkable  progress  in  numbers,  in  benevolence, 
and  in  all  the  rich  fruitage  of  Christian  activity, 
have  been  a  constant  object  lesson  to  the  College. 
This  influence  has  been  augmented  by  the  knowl- 
edge that  the  Church  has  more  than  once  post- 
poned improvements  in  its  own  interests  in  order 
to  further  the  interests  of  the  College.  Few  in 
the  city  of  Pomona  rejoice  more  heartily  in  the 
new,  beautiful  and  churchly  temple  of  the  Pilgrim 
Church  than  do  many  of  the  college  friends  now 
connected  with  the  Claremont  Church. 

It  might  almost  be  said  that  for  many  years 
the  Claremont  Church  was  the  College,  and  the 
College  was  the  Church.  The  Church  was  organ- 
ized, and  its  service  of  recognition  was  held  in  the 
college  dining-room,  where  also  for  fifteen  months 
its  public  services  w^ere  conducted.  For  thirteen 
years  its  house  of  worship  was  the  college  chapel, 
and  its  Sunday-school  and  midweek  services  and 
social  functions  were  all  held  in  the  college  build- 
ings. It  verily  seemed  an  integral  part  of  the  Col- 
lege, and  was  regarded  too  much  as  a  college 
church,  notwithstanding  unceasing  care  on  the 
part  of  the  officers  and  teachers  of  the  College  to 

[19QI 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  AT  POMONA 

avoid  this,  causing  them  often  to  withdraw  from 
official  service  in  the  Church  and  to  throw  the  re- 
sponsibility upon  the  members  of  the  community 
not  connected  with  the  College.  However,  the  ac- 
commodations served  the  purpose  so  well  that  the 
building  of  a  community  church  was  postponed, 
by  general  consent,  for  years,  on  account  of  the 
extreme  needs  of  the  growing  college.  Finally, 
when  by  united  and  surprising  effort  the  commu- 
nity church  was  built,  its  size,  character  and 
equipment  alike  were  largely  determined  by  the 
needs  of  the  College,  and  that,  too,  without  one 
word  of  dissent  or  even  of  question.  Here  again 
the  extended  influence  of  the  mother  church  is 
seen  in  the  fact  that  the  Claremont  Church  never 
has  received  aid  from  the  Home  Missionary  So- 
ciety; and  that  while  it  accepted  a  loan  and  a 
grant  from  the  Church  Building  Society,  it  has 
paid  back  the  grant,  and  nearly,  if  not  quite,  the 
loan.  Thus  the  College  never  has  been  connected 
with  a  dependent  church  spirit.  This  may  be  ac- 
counted no  small  factor  in  the  building  up  of  its 
character  in  respect  to  benevolence  and  mission- 
ary interest. 

Most  of  Hh'  Tn('inl)ors  of  the  faculty,  and  many 
of  tli(!  Htu(l(!iits,  in  the  early  days,  were  mcinbers 
of  tlio  Pilgrim  Church.  Mjiny  united  willi  (hat 
church  by  confession  of  faith.  The  sitiintioii  lias 
been  the  hmhu^  with  th(»  Clarciiioiif  (^hiirch  siiu'(» 
its  organization.     On  ('ai'cfnl  inquiry,  liowcNcr,  it 

L  i:h  J 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

was  decided  several  years  ago  that  it  was  better 
for  student  members  of  churches  located  away 
from  Claremont  to  retain  their  membership  in  the 
home  churches  rather  than  unite  with  the  Clare- 
mont Church.  Not  only  might  denominational  rea- 
sons exist,  but  aside  from  that,  it  was  felt 
that  after  graduation  from  college  it  was  better 
for  one  to  be  connected  with  his  home  church 
rather  than  with  Claremont.  Still  it  was  unques- 
tionably helpful  to  the  student  while  in  college 
for  four  years,  to  be  identified  with  the  college 
church.  To  accomplish  the  good,  and  avoid  objec- 
tion, an  '' Affiliated  Membership"  was  provided, 
by  which,  without  removing  his  membership,  by 
means  of  a  letter  from  his  home  church,  one  might 
be  received  into  covenant  with  the  Claremont 
Church,  with  all  the  rights,  privileges  and  obliga- 
tions of  church  membership  except  the  right  to 
vote.  There  are  now  about  a  hundred  affiliated 
members. 

The  Christian  Association  of  the  College  very 
early  became  an  active  force.  For  many  years,  in 
addition  to  its  own  meetings,  it  took  charge  of  the 
morning  chapel  exercises  for  one  day  in  each 
week,  advertising  the  subject  in  the  college  paper. 
These  exercises,  conducted  in  the  form  of  a  mu- 
tual prayer  meeting  of  faculty  and  students,  were 
often  very  effective.  Mr.  Miller,  a  lawyer  of  re- 
pute from  Philadelphia,  who  represented  the 
Field  estate  in  its  relations  to  the  College,  was 

[1921 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  AT  POMONA 

impressed  profoundly  by  one  of  these  meetings 
which  he  attended  when  it  was  under  the  direction 
of  a  student.  This  experience  was  repeated  often 
in  the  case  of  strangers  visiting  the  College  who 
never  had  witnessed  anything  of  the  kind.  The 
Sunday  evening  meetings,  in  which  faculty  and 
students  took  part,  were  effective.  The  college 
experiences  of  members  of  the  graduating  class, 
related  in  such  meetings,  were  sometimes  of 
thrilling  interest,  and  often  bore  witness  to  the 
debt  owed  to  the  helpful  and  saving  force  of  the 
College  itself,  rather  than  to  individual,  personal 
influence.  It  should  be  remembered  that  a  large 
proportion  of  the  student  body  and  all  of  the 
faculty  were,  in  the  early  days,  and  always  have 
been,  professing  Christians.  At  the  last  prayer 
meeting  before  the  graduation  of  one  of  the  larg- 
est classes  of  the  first  fifteen  years,  every  mem- 
ber of  the  class  was  present  and  took  some  part. 
In  one  of  the  largest  classes  of  Pomona's  history, 
all  the  young  women  except  one  were  members  of 
the  Young  Women's  Cliristian  Association.  Thus 
the  spontaneity  of  the  Cliristian  activity  has 
made  it  effective. 

More  or  less  Bible  study  has  been  required,  but, 
asid<!  from  tliis,  voluntary  study  of  the  IVible  lias 
h(!en  a  maikecl  rcaturc  of  the  college  life,  i^ro- 
I'eHHor  Norton's  Bij)l('  class  for  youii;^-  iikmi, 
maintained  for  many  ycai's,  was  liclpful  and  stim- 
ulating.    A  similar  class  for  young  women   was 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

long  maintained  by  different  teachers.  More  re- 
cently the  various  Bible  study  classes  for  the  men 
and  the  women  have  been  a  prominent  and  most 
important  feature  of  the  Young  Men's  and  Young 
Women's  Christian  Associations.  Quite  a  large 
percentage  of  the  student  body  engage  in  this  op- 
tional study,  as  well  as  in  the  regular  college 
Bible  classes. 

In  the  winter  of  1889-90,  Mr.  Sayford,  ''College 
Evangelist,"  an  old-time  friend  of  the  secretary, 
and  at  one  time  a  co-worker  with  him  in  evan- 
gelistic services,  spent  two  profitable  days  at  the 
College.  This  was  one  of  several  visits  of  Mr. 
Sayford,  of  one  of  which  some  years  later,  when 
he  came  with  Mr.  John  R.  Mott,  ''The  Pomona 
Student"  says:  "Messrs.  Mott  and  Sayford  have 
come  and  gone,  and  if  there  is  a  student  in  the 
school  who  does  not  feel  that  his  life  will  be  better 
for  the  warm,  manly  influence  that  fairly  scintil- 
lated from  these  men  of  God,  we  have  yet  to  meet 
him.  We  feel  that  the  religious  life  of  the  place 
can  never  be  just  as  it  was  before. '  * 

The  Young  Men's  and  Young  Women's  Chris- 
tian Associations  were  organized  early,  and 
thereby  the  College  came  into  closer  relations 
with  other  colleges  and  with  universities.  This 
has  meant  the  frequent  visitation  of  earnest 
and  effective  Christian  men  and  women  who 
are  an  inspiring  and  quickening  force.  It 
has    meant,    too,    the    sending    of    delegates    to 

[194] 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  AT  POMONA 

gatherings  devised  and  carried  on  for  the  express 
purpose  of  educating  and  stimulating  personal 
Christian  attainment  and  the  spirit  of  service. 
These  delegations  are  also  helpful  by  reason  of 
their  public  reports  to  the  student  body.  Such  in- 
tercollegiate activities  become  a  noticeable  power 
in  an  institution,  including,  as  they  do,  many 
workers  deeply  interested  in  and  consecrated  to 
Christian  work,  and  educated  in  their  methods  by 
men  specially  trained  and  of  wide  experience. 
The  weekly  meetings  help  to  maintain  a  vigorous 
life,  and  the  work  done  by  committees,  the  Bible 
study  classes  and  other  forms  of  work  are  also  of 
untold  value  to  the  healthy  religious  life  of  the 
College.  The  yearly  visits  of  the  classes  in  sociol- 
ogy, with  their  professor,  to  Los  Angeles,  and 
their  stay  at  the  Bethlehem  Settlement,  the  in- 
struction of  Dr.  Bartlett,  and  the  visits  under  the 
best  of  guidance  to  the  various  charitable  organi- 
zations, penal  institutions  and  courts,  with  the 
public  reports  of  these  visits,  have  made  a  lasting 
impression  on  many  minds  and  hearts.  Some 
have  been  led  to  dedicate  their  lives  to  this  spe- 
cific form  of  work. 

As  early  as  1890  there  were  several  "Student 
Volunteers"  looking  forward  to  missionary  work. 
In  later  years  tlieir  number  has  become  quite 
large.  These  young  people  make  a  careful  study 
not  only  of  the  Bible,  but  of  church  history  and 
the  history  of  missions.    Many  of  Pomona's  grad- 

[  105  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

uates  are  now  widely  scattered  over  the  world,  en- 
gaged in  missionary  work.  Tliey,  in  turn,  by  their 
lives  and  their  letters,  are  a  helpful  influence. 
Sometimes  regular  missions  are  maintained  by 
students  near  Claremont,  and  delegations  fre- 
quently go  out  on  invitation,  to  help  a  pastor,  to 
address  audiences,  or  to  sing,  as  occasions 
demand. 

The  student's  point  of  view  may  be  learned  by 
a  quotation  from  the  ' '  Metate  " :  '  *  Ever  since  its 
incipiency,  the  Association  has  had  not  only  the 
respect  and  support  of  the  students,  but  it  has 
been  the  source  from  which  has  largely  emanated 
that  Christian  influence  for  which  Pomona  Col- 
lege has  an  enviable  reputation. ' ' 

All  students  are  expected  to  attend  some  Sun- 
day morning  preaching  service.  For  many  years 
after  the  Claremont  Church  was  organized  the 
congregation  was  made  up  largely  of  college  peo- 
ple. The  same  statement  was  true  of  the  Sunday 
school,  and  of  other  church  appointments,  com- 
mittees and  organizations,  so  that  the  Church  was 
little  more  than  a  college  matter.  When  Associa- 
tion Bible  and  mission  study  classes  began  to  be 
formed,  many  students,  as  well  as  teachers,  with- 
drew from  the  church  Sunday  school  in  order 
that  a  full  hour  might  be  given  to  such  classes. 
Later,  during  three  years,  the  assistant  pastor 
was  the  secretary  of  the  college  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association. 

[196] 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  AT  POMONA 

And  this  intimate  relation  of  church  and  college 
has  been  maintained,  notwithstanding  the  fact 
that  by  reason  of  the  growth  of  Claremont,  the 
College  is  now  less  prominent  in  the  church  activi- 
ties. During  recent  years  the  character  of  Dr. 
Kingman's  work  and  the  work  of  the  assistant 
pastor  have  been  of  such  a  nature  that  the  Church 
very  properly  is  spoken  of  as  the  background  of 
the  Christian  side  of  the  college  life. 

The  first  four  pastorates  were  short.  Two  of 
them  did  not  call  for  full  work.  Rev.  C.  B. 
Sumner  was  to  give  one-half  of  his  time  to  the 
pastorate  and  one-half  to  classroom  work.  But 
the  burden  of  financial  matters  and  the  exacting 
illness  of  Mrs.  Sumner  in  their  home  left  little 
time  or  strength  or  spirit  for  either  of  the 
two  works,  and  he  continued  in  office  only  about 
fifteen  months.  Rev.  Henry  W.  Jones,  who 
followed,  had  formally  retired  from  the  pastor- 
ate on  account  of  ill  health.  He  came  to  Clare- 
mont to  assume  responsibility  for  the  Sunday 
morning  services  only,  without  pastoral  care.  For 
two  years  he  did  tiiis  work  failhrully.  His  ser- 
mons were  prepared  carefully,  and  appealed 
particularly  to  the  older  portions  of  his  congr(\u:a- 
tions.  His  rcfiiu'd  tastes,  his  ramiliarily  with  lit- 
erature, Jind  his  bright,  genial  <|iialiti«'s  added 
greatly  to  his  influence,  l\)v  a  lltlh-  lime  lie 
taught  a  class  in  Muglish  in  the  (-(>Hei':<\  ami  some 
of  the  students  had  very  (h'lightful  rel.ilions  with 

[  197  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

him.  Rev.  W.  H.  McDougal  then  came,  fresh 
and  vigorous,  and  devoted  his  whole  time  to 
the  pastorate.  He  was  a  Californian  by  birth, 
his  father  was  at  one  time  the  governor  of  the 
State,  and  he  was  fully  conversant  with  the  his- 
tory of  the  Pacific  Coast.  Mr.  McDougal  was  a 
man  of  the  tenderest  feelings,  of  strong  imagi- 
nation and  of  devotional  spirit;  a  poet  withal. 
Scholarly  in  his  tastes,  thoughtful,  and  original  in 
his  way  of  putting  his  thoughts,  he  interested  and 
found  his  way  to  the  hearts  of  students  and  citi- 
zens alike.  His  four  years  were  fruitful  in  good 
works,  and  his  retirement  was  heartily  re- 
gretted. He  left  an  abiding  influence.  Rev. 
Henry  N.  Kinney  came  then,  in  physical  weak- 
ness, from  PhcEnix,  Arizona,  whither  he  had  gone 
for  his  health  after  having  ministered  in  an  im- 
portant church  in  Indianapolis,  before  that  hav- 
ing enjoyed  a  fruitful  pastorate  in  Connecticut. 
While  not  strong,  he  was  diligent,  and  did  excel- 
lent work  in  the  Claremont  Church.  He  was  in 
close  sympathy  with  the  students,  and  made 
friends  quickly  with  all  classes  of  citizens.  Both 
in  the  pulpit  and  out  of  the  pulpit  his  influence 
was  felt  for  good,  and  his  short  pastorate  of  a 
year  was  very  successful.  One  of  the  good  things 
connected  with  it  was  the  coming  of  Mrs.  Kinney, 
who,  with  her  daughters,  remained  in  Claremont 
for  several  years  after  Mr.  Kinney's  death,  and 
who  was  always  ready  for  every  good  work,  being 

[198] 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  AT  POMONA 

especially  sympathetic  and  helpful  in  the  college 
life  and  undertakings. 

Mr.  Kinney  was  followed  in  1900  by  Rev. 
Henry  Kingman,  who  now  has  ministered  to  the 
Church  for  thirteen  years,  and  most  accept- 
ably. His  service  to  the  religious  life  of  the  Col- 
lege, directly  and  through  the  Church,  has  been 
beyond  estimate.  His  scholarly  habits,  choice  dic- 
tion, intellectual  force  and  growing  spirituality 
command  respectful  attention  and  thoughtful  con- 
sideration, and  have  much  to  do  with  the  religious 
atmosphere  of  the  College.  An  experience  in  mis- 
sionary work  in  China  was  a  peculiarly  happy 
preparation  for  his  work  here,  not  only  in  his 
own  personal  development,  but  also  in  its  inci- 
dental influence  in  bringing  many  of  the  strong 
missionaries  face  to  face  with  the  student  body. 
Certain  it  is  that  a  happy  missionary  spirit  is  in- 
creasingly evident  and  fruitful  in  the  College. 
Yet  another  influence  in  this  direction  has  come 
from  the  efforts  of  Rev.  George  Irving,  for 
two  years  assistant  pastor,  and  then  associate 
pastor  with  Dr.  Kingman.  Mr.  Irving 's  report 
of  January  1,  1912,  gave  a  correct  summary  of 
the  religious  spirit  of  tlie  Collog(»  at  that  time,  and 
is  (|uot(!(l  ill  part  from  the  "Pomona  College 
Bulletin": 

"It  is  a  phs'iHure  to  give  to  the  friends  of  Po- 
mona this  Hiatcment  regarding  the  general  r(«li- 
giouH  life  of  tlie  Colleger  as  seen  from  my  point 

[  199  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

of  view.  For  three  years  now  I  have  had  the 
opportunity  of  being  very  closely  associated  with 
the  life  of  the  men  and  women  of  the  College.  For 
the  ten  years  previous  to  my  coming  to  Claremont 
my  life  w^as  spent  in  religious  work  with  students 
in  many  parts  of  the  country.  During  that  time, 
and  since  coming  to  the  coast,  I  have  had  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  at  fairly  close  range  the  religious 
life  of  many  institutions  of  varying  size  and  char- 
acter, and  can  now  say  with  confidence  that  I  have 
never  known  any  college  where  the  general  reli- 
gious tone  is  so  high  as  it  is  among  the  students 
of  Pomona  College.  Sometimes  the  religious  life 
of  the  best  college  becomes  weak  and  unreal ;  but, 
while  there  is  of  course  great  room  for  improve- 
ment, it  is  only  true  to  say  that  reality  and 
sincerity  are  the  dominant  notes  of  our  college 
community. 

''The  devotional  meetings  of  the  Associations 
are  well  attended  and  show  a  well-sustained  inter- 
est. Among  the  men  there  are  over  sixty,  and 
among  the  women  there  are  about  ninety-five,  en- 
rolled in  voluntary  Bible  study  classes,  which 
have  as  their  plan  daily  study,  with  weekly  meet- 
ings for  conference  and  discussion.  When  we 
remember  the  large  number  who  go  home  over 
Sunday,  and  those  who  are  engaged  in  teaching 
classes  in  the  Sunday  school,  this  enrollment  is 
encouraging.  Besides  the  Bible  classes,  there  are 
five  groups  studying  world  missionary  problems. 

[200] 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  AT  POMONA 

From  such  groups  came  last  year  some  of  our 
very  strongest  volunteers  for  foreign  missionary 
work.    This  is  only  one  result  of  such  study. ' ' 

* '  Thinking  back  over  my  experience  of  the  past 
three  years,  and  notwithstanding  the  prejudice  in 
favor  of  large  eastern  institutions  with  which  I 
came,  honesty  compels  me  to  say  that  I  know  of 
no  place  in  North  America  where  a  young  man 
may  more  safely  and  wisely  take  his  academic 
work  than  at  Pomona  College.  Indeed,  it  is  well- 
nigh  impossible  that  any  normal  young  man 
should  pass  through  this  College  without  having 
deeply  impressed  upon  him  the  attractiveness  and 
desirability  of  striving  to  live  the  Christian  life. ' ' 

This  report  was  written  two  years  ago.  It  is 
the  unanimous  judgment  of  the  faculty  at  the  end 
of  1913  that  the  religious  condition  of  the  College 
is  quite  as  favorable  at  the  present  time  as  it  has 
ever  been  in  the  history  of  the  College. 

The  first  of  January,  1913,  Mr.  Irving  loft 
Claremont  to  return  to  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  work,  and  one  of  Pomona's  gradu- 
ates, Rev.  Philip  Smead  Bird,  just  graduated 
from  Union  Seminary,  was  secured  to  tak(» 
his  phu-c.  Wliilc  Mr.  Bird  lias  declined  to  Uiko, 
tlie  posiliod  of  secretai'v  of  the  college  Associa- 
tion, 1)(!  (!nl(MH  into  very  close  relations  willi  the 
KiiidentH,  and  f)r()miKeH  to  b(^  not  less  but,  if  pos- 
sible, jMorc!  helprul  to  lh<!  (Jollege  than  liis  prede- 

[201] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

cesser.  He  came  to  the  Church  in  May,  1913,  for 
one  year,  and  so  strong  and  successful  has  been 
his  work  that  he  has  been  invited  to  remain  after 
the  year  ends,  as  associate  pastor,  with  an  in- 
crease of  salary. 


[202] 


CHAPTER  XIV 

PRESIDENT  FERGUSON'S 
ADMINISTRATION 

Change  in  the  presidency  of  a  college,  in  which 
personality  is  so  prominent  a  factor,  is  always  a 
serious  matter,  and  the  seriousness  of  such 
change  is  emphasized  in  more  recent  times,  by 
reason  of  the  multiplicity  of  newer  educational 
theories  and  methods.  Seven  years,  the  period 
of  President  Baldwin's  administration,  is  a  long 
time  in  which  to  impress  personality,  inculcate 
theories  and  practice  methods  in  a  young  institu- 
tion. Any  change  must  almost  inevitably  bring 
about  complications.  The  transition  from  Pres- 
ident Baldwin  to  President  Ferguson  was  a  great 
one.  The  first  was  scholarly  in  his  tastes,  cor- 
dial, and  full  of  personal  magnetism;  the  other 
was  of  a  business  turn  of  mind,  quiet,  self-con- 
tained and  somewhat  reserved.  The  natural  bent 
and  the  training  of  the  one  had  been  along  the 
free  and  liberal  lines  of  conference  and  of  com- 
mittoes;  that  of  the  other  more  along  lines  of 
autliority  and  personal  dictation.  And  yet  both 
wore  strong,  self-confident,  ambitious  of  success, 
and  ind(;fallga))l(»  workers.  It  was  only  ])y  tlio 
exercise  of  care  and  tact  tliat  the  methoils  of  the 

[  203  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

one  gave  place  to  those  of  the  other  without  open 
collision.  Although  the  feeling  had  run  strong 
and  high,  and  many  protests  were  entered  to 
President  Baldwin's  retirement,  when  once  the 
question  was  settled,  with  remarkably  few  excep- 
tions, all  the  officers  and  friends  of  the  College, 
including  the  retiring  president,  accepted  the  in- 
evitable and  set  themselves  to  further  her  inter- 
ests in  every  way  possible.  In  this  respect,  taking 
human  nature  as  it  is.  President  Ferguson  had 
little  occasion  for  complaint.  At  the  same  time, 
his  position  was  not  an  easy  one  to  fill. 

During  the  last  year  and  a  half  of  President 
Bald^\dn's  administration,  Mr.  Ferguson,  repre- 
senting the  Congregational  Education  Society, 
came  in  close  touch  with  Pomona  on  the  financial 
side.  The  College  was  carrying  on  a  canvass  of 
vital  moment.  She  was  a  foster-child  of  the  So- 
ciety, and  no  effort  was  spared  by  it  to  help  her. 
Mr.  Ferguson  went  to  Chicago  and  presented  her 
needs  before  Dr.  D.  K.  Pearsons,  securing  a 
pledge  of  twenty  thousand  dollars.  In  addition 
he  visited  Dayton,  Ohio,  examined,  and  after 
strenuous  labors  reported  favorably  upon  some 
property  of  Mr.  C.  H.  Baldwin  that  was  involved 
in  the  canvass.  Later  Mr.  Ferguson  came  to 
Claremont  and  had  a  conference  with  the  Board 
of  Trustees.  During  the  summer  after  President 
Baldwin's  resignation  both  Mr.  Marston  and  Dr. 
Warren  F.  Day,  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  were  in 

[204] 


PRESIDENT  FERGUSON 

the  East  and  conferred  with  Mr.  Ferguson.  Thus 
he  was  well  known  to  the  trustees,  and  came  into 
the  limelight  very  quickly  after  the  office  of  pres- 
ident was  vacated. 

The  executive  committee  invited  Mr.  Sumner, 
who  was  not  at  that  time  on  the  board  of  trus- 
tees, to  make  inquiries  by  person  and  letter  as  to 
Mr.  Ferguson's  fitness  and  availability  for  the 
presidency.  The  results  of  his  inquiries,  mostly 
in  the  form  of  letters  from  persons  in  important 
positions  who  had  been  closely  connected  with 
him  in  some  relation,  were  put  before  the  Board 
of  Trustees,  and  with  letters  from  Mr.  Marston, 
Dr.  Day  and  Dr.  D.  K.  Pearsons,  led  to  the  unan- 
imous election  of  Mr.  Ferguson  as  president  of 
Pomona  College.  He  came  on  the  ground  in  the 
winter  of  1897-98,  accepted  the  office  and  after  a 
short  stay  returned  to  close  his  work  with  the 
Education  Society.  This  work  detained  him  un- 
til the  summer.  He  was  elected  to  the  Board  of 
Trustees  and  made  president  of  the  Board.  When 
he  came  to  take  up  the  college  work  he  brought 
with  him  the  pledge  of  Dr.  Pearsons  for  twenty- 
five  thousand  dollars  additional  with  which  to 
])uild  u.  science  hall,  conditioned  on  the  payment  of 
the  college  debt. 

After  spending  a  month  or  two  at  Clarcmont, 
and  before  taking  up  his  residence  tliere,  Presi- 
dent Ferguson  summed  up  the  assets  of  the  Col- 
lege   thus:    ''JOndovvment    fund,    quo    hundred 

[  205  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

thousand  dollars;  campus  and  buildings,  with 
equipment,  fifty  thousand  dollars;  pledge  of  Dr. 
Pearsons  for  science  hall,  twenty-five  thousand 
dollars ;  Claremont  lots,  twelve  thousand  dollars ; 
amounting  to  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven  thou- 
sand dollars."  He  also  made  this  statement  as 
to  the  standing  of  Pomona,  which  is  significant 
from  one  so  familiar  with  the  history  of  which  he 
speaks:  **It  is  probably  not  true  of  any  other 
college  founded  under  the  auspices  of  American 
Congregationalism,  that  within  ten  years  of  its 
origin  the  students  in  the  college  classes  have  out- 
numbered those  in  the  preparatory  department. ' ' 
President  Franklin  La  Du  Ferguson,  B.D.,  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent  on  the  side  of  his  father,  who 
was  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  was  born  in  the  Province  of  Ontario, 
Canada.  His  mother  was  a  Pomeroy  whose  ances- 
tor came  over  in  the  Mayflower.  He  studied  at  Al- 
bert College,  now  affiliated  with  the  Dominion 
University  of  Toronto,  and  left  college  to  enter 
business,  having  married  the  daughter  of  the 
Honorable  Samuel  Maxwell,  Chief  Justice  of  Ne- 
braska, who  had  represented  Nebraska  in  the  Na- 
tional Congress.  Mrs.  Ferguson  was  quiet  and 
undemonstrative,  but  a  woman  of  fine,  strong 
character,  devoted  to  her  family  and  beloved  by 
all.  Mr.  Ferguson  was  soon  induced  to  take  up 
this  profession  of  his  father,  and  studied  for  the 
Christian  ministry.    In  1888  he  received  the  de- 

I206J 


F'ltKsiDK.N  r    Kkankmn    \j.\    Dc    FkH<;I'S()N 


PRESIDENT  FERGUSON 

gree  of  B.  D.  from  Yale  University,  and  remained 
a  year  on  a  fellowship  for  graduate  study.  After 
a  pastorate  at  the  old  and  important  Congrega- 
tional Church  at  Milford,  Connecticut,  he  turned 
his  attention  to  education,  and  took  charge  of 
Chadron  Academy  at  Chadron,  Nebraska.  Suc- 
cess here,  especially  in  raising  money  for  the 
academy,  led  to  his  transfer  to  a  connection  with 
the  Congregational  Education  Society,  whose 
headquarters  are  at  Boston,  Massachusetts. 

He  took  up  the  work  at  Pomona  with  a  strong 
hand,  quickly  becoming  master  of  the  business 
and  gaining  some  insight  into  the  entire  range  of 
college  affairs.  Then  from  time  to  time,  as  en- 
dowment funds  came  in,  he  availed  himself  of  the 
experience  of  others,  went  about  studying  condi- 
tions and  gradually  became  conversant  with 
investments.  He  had  a  committee  on  finance 
appointed,  of  which  he  was  the  head,  which  had  en- 
tire charge  of  the  endowment  funds,  and  at  occa- 
sional meetings  of  this  committee  conditions  and 
policies  were  frankly  and  fully  discussed.  At 
first,  in  conformity  with  the  course  heretofore 
adopted,  he  pursued  a  conservative  policy  of  in- 
vesiment.  Mortgages,  particularly  in  Los  An- 
g(;l(;H,  were  taken  for  one  year  only.  At  the  time, 
this  was  quite  necessary  because  of  uncertain  val- 
ues of  real  estate.  For  two  years  every  finnneial 
interest  was  [x^rsonally  watched  with  a  closeness 
and    scruiiulousness    that    coniniended    itself    to 

[207] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

business  men.  All  learned  to  put  confidence  in 
his  financial  judgment  and  acumen.  There  was 
no  waste.  Every  dollar  was  made  to  bring  its 
full  value  to  the  College.  The  building  of  Science 
Hall  is  a  fair  sample  of  his  expenditures.  Con- 
ditions were  favorable.  But  when  due  credit  is 
given  to  every  consideration,  there  still  remains 
a  structure  which  for  good  taste,  for  elegance, 
for  convenience,  and  for  economy  of  space  and 
expenditure,  it  would  be  difficult  to  equal.  It 
was  a  marvel  in  the  day  it  was  built.  It  is  a 
greater  marvel  today.  The  same  attention  was 
given  to  the  building  of  the  president's  house  and 
the  gymnasium.  People  will  hardly  credit  the 
fact  that  so  much  was  accomplished  for  the 
money. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  H.  G.  Billings,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  executive  committee,  Mrs.  Billings 
was  anxious  to  dispose  of  a  valuable  orchard  at 
San  Dimas,  left  in  her  possession  and  requiring 
much  personal  supervision.  Accordingly  she 
put  it  into  the  hands  of  a  real  estate  agent  of  Los 
Angeles,  proposing  to  sell  it  for  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars. She  then  expressed  to  the  authorities  the 
desire  to  convey  the  property  to  the  College  in 
consideration  of  an  annuity  on  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars. President  Ferguson  and  the  secretary,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  Executive  Committee, 
worked  very  hard  to  get  possession  of  it,  and 
after  spending  the  greater  part  of  a  night  with 

[208] 


PRESIDENT  FERGUSON 

the  agent  in  question,  by  paying  a  thousand  dol- 
lars finally  secured  the  title.  It  proved  to  be  a 
profitable  investment,  and  in  a  year  or  two  was 
sold  for  sixteen  thousand  five  hundred  dollars. 

On  every  hand  President  Ferguson  was  watch- 
ful of  the  college  interests,  and  from  time  to  time 
secured  assistance  from  the  East  and  from  the 
West,  quite  a  little  in  the  form  of  annuity  funds. 
The  Education  Society,  through  his  presentation 
of  the  case,  gave  the  College  twelve  thousand  dol- 
lars ;  the  Weber  estate  donated  five  thousand  dol- 
lars ;  Mrs.  J.  M.  Fiske  gave  ten  thousand  dollars ; 
other  gifts,  in  addition  to  several  scholarships, 
were  received;  fifteen  thousand  dollars  came  in 
from  the  contract  with  the  Field  estate. 

Then  President  Ferguson  secured  the  consent 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  on  the  condition  that  he 
would  pay  interest,  insurance  and  taxes  as 
rental  to  borrow  money  at  five  per  cent,  with 
which  to  build  the  president's  house.  Miss  Har- 
riet Cousens  of  Newton,  Massachusetts,  loaned 
the  money,  to  be  paid  on  or  before  ten  years  from 
date,  and  a  fine  house  was  built.  At  her  death 
in  1911,  Miss  Cousens,  by  her  will,  gave  back  to 
tli(!  College  five  thousand  dollars  of  this  amount, 
wliicli  had  ))een  paid  Ixifore  lu^r  death. 

Hardly  wen;  Pearsons  Hall  of  Science  and  (lie 
president's  house  comi)Ieted  lu'Tore  tiie  demand 
beftanu!  imixTative  for  a  gymnasium,  l^lager  to 
encourage  the  student  Ixxly   in   (iiis   respect,  the 

[  209  J 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

president  told  them  that  he  would  raise  the  other 
half  if  they  would  raise  one  half  of  the  moderate 
cost  of  the  building.  They  soon  reported  about 
three  thousand  dollars  in  sight,  and  Mrs.  Helen 
G.  Renwick  very  kindly  donated  twenty-five  hun- 
dred dollars  for  this  object.  Later  she  added  still 
more  to  this  amount. 

The  introduction  of  a  steam  plant  for  the  heat- 
ing of  Sumner  Hall,  Science  Hall  and  Holmes 
Hall  was  appreciated  by  teachers  and  students. 
The  sense  of  security  in  Sumner  Hall  by  reason 
of  the  removal  of  the  stoves  formerly  used  for 
heating  the  girls'  rooms,  was  a  wondrous  relief. 
At  the  same  time,  the  necessity  of  having  under 
Holmes  Hall  a  boiler  which  must  needs  be  under 
student  care,  was  regretted,  both  on  account  of 
the  noise  and  the  danger.  This  arrangement  was 
the  stepping-stone  to  the  present  much  more  sat- 
isfactory system  of  heating  and  supplying  hot 
water  and  steam  as  well  for  the  varied  necessities 
of  the  College. 

Enterprise  and  improvement  were  manifest  on 
the  campus,  and  the  endoAvment  funds  were  stead- 
ily increasing,  throughout  President  Ferguson's 
administration.  In  spite  of  the  seeming  prosper- 
ity, however,  there  were  still  obstacles  to  be  over- 
come. In  his  second  annual  report  he  says: 
''The  endowment  fund  has  been  increased  by 
eighteen  thousand  dollars,  most  of  which  had 
been  pledged  the  previous  year.     In  addition  to 

[210] 


PRESIDENT  FERGUSON 

the  donations  for  endowment  and  gymnasium,  the 
treasurer  will  report  more  than  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars to  have  been  contributed  toward  current 
expenses  and  the  payment  of  liabilities.  It 
remains  true,  however,  that  the  gifts  for  the  ordi- 
nary current  expenses  of  the  College  still  fall  sev- 
eral thousand  dollars  short  of  the  necessary 
amount. ' ' 

Mr.  Ferguson  was  ingenious  in  devices  to  get 
ready  money  for  the  College.  He  sold  scholar- 
ships at  a  reduced  price  as  one  means.  But  ex- 
perience has  taught  that  this  method  draws  sadly 
on  the  future  income.  After  a  little  time  the 
Board  of  Trustees  discontinued  the  practice.  An- 
other method  used  by  him  was  the  common  one  of 
giving  annuities  on  amounts  of  money  paid  in, 
or  on  property  deeded  to  the  College.  Subsequent 
investigation  has  led  to  a  very  careful  reckoning 
of  such  obligations,  and  the  rejection  of  some 
yjropositions  as  involving  too  much  risk  of  final 
loss.  Perhaps  necessarily,  nevertheless,  unfortu- 
nately, before  he  came  to  the  presidency,  under 
his  urgent  advice  every  dollar  that  could  pos- 
sibly be  turned  into  the  canvass  for  securing  the 
Field  estaie  fund  had  been  so  turned,  even  to  the 
antici[>ating  of  several  years  of  the  *' Permanent 
(iuaj-anlee  Fund"  for  meeting  deficits.  More- 
over, ten  thousand  dollars  which  had  been  put 
into  ilic  eridowrneni  fund  was  ti'/nisft'rred  at  the 
cud  of  his  second  year's  a<liiiinibtration  to  current- 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

expenses.  It  is  true  that  the  contributors  at  his 
request  consented  to  this  transfer ;  and  yet  it  was 
a  sad  necessity,  if  indeed  a  necessity.  The  ap- 
parent trend  was  toward  the  temporary  rather 
than  the  permanent  interests  of  the  College. 
However,  up  to  nearly  or  quite  the  end  of  the 
second  year  of  his  administration.  President 
Ferguson  stood  strong  in  the  judgment  of  the 
body  of  the  trustees,  especially  so  from  a  busi- 
ness point  of  view. 

In  his  second  annual  report,  already  referred 
to.  President  Ferguson  speaks  of  the  graduating 
class  as  "fifty  per  cent,  larger  than  any  previous 
class,  and  to  be  succeeded  by  a  much  larger  one. ' ' 
*'In  fact,"  he  says,  "the  number  which  has  an- 
nually graduated  from  Pomona  during  its  brief 
existence  has  been  far  in  excess  of  the  number 
which  young  colleges  have  been  wont  to  send 
forth.  There  is  no  parallel  in  the  history  of  the 
colleges  under  Congregational  auspices  in  the 
country.  Attention  has  frequently  been  called  to 
the  unusually  large  proportion  of  alumni  who 
have  continued  courses  of  study  in  some  univer- 
sity, and  have  been  invited  to  honorable  and  lu- 
crative positions." 

At  the  same  time  with  this  seeming  prosperity 
without  and  within  the  institution,  there  were 
manifestations  of  lack  of  confidence  in  the  pres- 
ident's management  of  internal  affairs.  In  his 
first  address  before  the  student  body,  during  his 

[212] 


PRESIDENT  FERGUSON 

visit  to  the  College  some  montlis  before  he  took 
up  the  college  work,  he  was  reported  in  the  **  Stu- 
dent Life"  as  having  said  that  he  secured  from 
Dr.  D.  K.  Pearsons  a  pledge  of  twenty  thousand 
dollars,  and  thereby  made  possible  the  secur- 
ing of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  for  the  en- 
dowment fund.  An  editorial  in  the  succeeding 
number  of  the  '' Student  Life"  questions  this 
statement,  and  attributes  the  securing  of  the  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  fund  to  Dr.  Baldwin,  who 
was  president  at  the  time  referred  to.  While  there 
was  a  measure  of  truth  on  both  sides,  the  alleged 
discrepancy  sounded  a  note  of  warning  to  the  new 
president.  Nor  was  the  condition  improved  by  his 
immediate  request  for  a  censor  of  the  "Student 
Life."  For  one  reason  and  another,  there  had 
grown  up  early  the  suspicion  on  the  part  of  the 
student  body  of  a  system  of  espionage  introduced 
by  the  president,  and  with  it  signs  of  distrust. 
Notwithstanding  what  was  done  for  athletics  and 
all  the  activities  on  the  campus,  as  the  years  went 
on  the  relation  of  the  student  body  to  the  presi- 
dent grew  more  and  more  strained.  At  length  ho 
came  to  be  distrusted  apparently  by  the  student 
body.  The  faculty  also  was  disturbed  by  a  tend- 
ency to  tn;at  tlie  t(!aching  foi-ce  too  much  from 
the  commercial  viewpoint,  as  oinphasizcd  l)y  a 
comTnunication  from  the  Board  of  Trustees,  at- 
tributed to  his  influenc-e,  asking  for  a  reduclion 
of  Hularies,  and  for  tlu;  eHtablisliment  of  twenty 

[  2i:j  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

hours  as  the  minimum  and  twenty-five  hours  as 
the  maximum  of  a  teacher's  work.  The  reply  was 
a  ready  compliance,  "temporarily,  in  case  it  was 
thought  necessary  by  the  Board  of  Trustees ;  but 
with  the  distinct  understanding  that  they  consid- 
ered it  lowering  the  standards  of  the  College." 
The  salaries  were  actually  lowered  one  hundred 
dollars  for  each  professor  for  one  year. 

Friction  between  the  dean  and  the  president 
appeared  very  early.  The  office  of  dean  at  Po- 
mona never  had  been  defined  very  sharply.  With 
President  Baldwin's  ideas  of  a  faculty  college, 
and  his  frequent  and  extended  absences  from 
Claremont,  the  office  had  come  to  have  a  wide  lat- 
itude. President  Ferguson  felt  that,  as  con- 
ducted, it  entrenched  on  his  prerogatives,  and  he 
assumed  some  of  the  duties  that  the  dean  had 
been  accustomed  to  perform.  The  dean  had 
formed  very  definite  convictions  in  respect  to 
college  administration.  His  conception  of  loy- 
alty to  Pomona's  interests  made  it  difficult  if  not 
impossible  for  him  to  conform  to  some  of  the  pres- 
ident's  methods  which  were  widely  at  variance 
with  those  convictions.  Hence,  in  spite  of  well-in- 
tentioned efforts  to  harmonize,  on  both  sides,  the 
tension  grew  stronger  and  stronger.  Finally 
Professor  Norton  resigned  the  deanship,  and  the 
whole  matter  was  brought  before  the  Board  of 
Trustees.  The  faculty,  by  committee,  presented 
to  the  Board  five  resolutions  defining  the  preroga- 

[214] 


PRESIDENT  FERGUSON 

tives  of  the  president  and  dean  as  related  to  each 
other.  These  definitions  were  accepted,  and  after 
full  discussion  and  assurances  of  cooperation,  the 
dean's  resignation  was  withdrawn. 

Efforts  begun  a  year  or  two  before  were 
pressed  during  the  third  year  to  revise  the  by- 
laws, and  the  changes  were  under  discussion  by 
faculty  and  trustees,  but  not  wholly  approved  un- 
til after  President  Ferguson  withdrew  from  the 
College. 

The  very  last  part  of  the  second  year  and 
throughout  the  third  year  of  his  administration, 
President  Ferguson's  attitude  toward  the  College 
seemed  changed.  The  College  became  apparently 
secondary  in  his  consideration.  He  became  in- 
terested in  the  oil  business,  in  which  speculative 
excitement  ran  high  at  that  time  in  Los  Angeles, 
and  sought  to  interest  others,  borrowing  money 
from  friends  of  the  College  supposedly  to  use  in 
that  business.  Mortgages  began  to  be  made 
seemingly  with  less  care,  and  for  longer  periods. 
At  all  events,  the  committee,  after  discussion,  on 
account  of  the  apparent  tendency,  thought  best 
to  take  no  more  Los  Angeles  loans.  One  or  two 
already  tak(!n  gave  some  trouble  later,  and  cost 
some  money.  These  new  facts,  com])ined  with 
others,  gave  rise  to  more  general  criticism.  The 
atirK)Hf)lH'r('  a})out  th(i  College  slowly  but  surely 
hcic.iitm-.  KJircharged  witli  accusation  and  counter- 
uccusation.     The  cff(!ct  was  felt  in  every  depart- 

[215  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ment.  It  pervaded  the  student  body.  The  fric- 
tion already  existing  between  the  student  body 
and  the  president  became  intensified,  and  together 
with  lack  of  sympathy  with  him  on  the  part  of 
members  of  the  faculty,  led  to  increasing  demor- 
alization which  became  very  marked  the  last  of 
the  third  year.  The  whole  matter  came  to  a  cli- 
max in  connection  with  the  Commencement. 
President  Ferguson  was  led  to  present  his  resig- 
nation to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  with  its  ac- 
ceptance the  board  passed,  in  part,  the  following 
action : 

''Whereas,  this  board  is  deeply  appreciative 
of  the  able  administration  of  the  financial  affairs 
of  the  College  by  the  retiring  president  during  his 
incumbency ;  therefore.  Resolved :  That  in  accept- 
ing his  resignation  we  hereby  express  our  sense 
of  his  valuable  services  to  this  institution  in  se- 
curing building  and  endowment  funds,  and  we 
hereby  acknowledge  the  debt  of  gratitude  we  owe 
to  him." 

Whatever  else  may  be  said  of  President  Fer- 
guson's administration, — and  it  had  its  weak- 
nesses, as  is  sadly  emphasized  at  its  close, — it  had 
its  strength.  It  was  strongly  centralized,  draw- 
ing together  the  units  and  compacting  them  into  a 
dynamic  which  made  itself  felt  east  and  west. 
The  attention  of  business  men  was  attracted  by 
it,  and  they  became  interested  in  the  College  as 
they  never  had  been  interested  before.     So  strong 

[216] 


PRESIDENT  FERGUSON 

was  the  central  figure  that  in  spite  of  slips,  a  fort- 
night before  the  close  of  his  administration,  a 
change  of  leadership  threatened  a  break,  and  per- 
haps disruption  in  the  college  forces.  Happily 
the  denouement  left  no  possibility  of  such  divi- 
sion. The  College  was  more  united  than  ever, 
after  his  withdrawal. 


[  217  ] 


CHAPTER  XV 

ATHLETICS 

Amongst  all  the  diversified  changes  in  the  con- 
duct of  educational  institutions  during  the  last 
twenty-five  years,  none  has  been  greater  or  per- 
haps more  important  than  that  which  pertains  to 
the  care  and  training  of  the  physical  man.  At 
the  date  of  Pomona's  organization,  college  au- 
thorities had  just  begun  to  recognize  the  develop- 
ment of  the  body  as  a  part  of  higher  education. 
Gymnasium,  athletic  field,  swimming  pool,  physi- 
cal training,  were  comparatively  new  accessories 
to  a  college  outfit.  But  with  surprising  celerity 
they  came  to  be  regarded  as  prime  essentials  to 
the  best  mental  work.  No  longer  could  they  be 
ignored,  much  less  frowned  upon  or  left  to  the 
responsibility  of  the  students.  They  were  au- 
thoritatively assumed  as  needful  equipment. 

These  accessories  were  regarded  as  not  pertain- 
ing exclusively  to  men.  They  were  thought  to 
be  equally  necessary  to  women.  The  several 
steps  of  this  great  change  are  marked  distinctly 
at  Pomona.  No  longer  the  pastime  of  idle  hours, 
athletics  have  come  to  be  regarded  as  a  vital 
part  of  the  college  curriculum. 

Natural  and  pervasive  interest  in  athletics  was 

[218] 


ATHLETICS 

manifest  at  Pomona  from  the  opening  of  the 
school.  A  writer  in  the  ''Student  Life"  in  1898, 
referring  to  the  first  days,  speaks  of  the  young 
ladies  as  successively  and  repeatedly  trying  to 
jump  a  hedge  in  the  rear  of  the  college  house. 
She  also  recalls  a  carefully  arranged  foot-race  by 
these  same  young  ladies,  on  White  Avenue,  when 
in  their  excitement  they  came  to  grief  through 
frightening  a  horse  attached  to  a  carriage  which 
contained  several  occupants.  The  first  issue  of 
"The  Pomona  Student"  refers  to  the  tennis  club 
and  the  courts  in  process  of  making,  and  to  the 
baseball  nine.  About  the  same  time  a  very  ear- 
nest appeal  came  to  the  authorities  from  the  stu- 
dent body,  for  at  least  a  room  to  be  used  as  a 
gymnasium.  This  occasioned  not  a  little  sur- 
prise; but  as  if  to  excuse  the  presumption  of  the 
request,  the  students  promised  to  equip  it  them- 
selves. Without  waiting  for  the  room,  however, 
in  1890  an  athletic  association  was  organized, 
with  President  Baldwin  at  the  head,  with  the 
declaration,  "Pomona  College  has  a  gymnasium 
as  big  as  all  outdoors,  and  tennis  and  baseball 
are  played  throughout  the  year  witliout  interruj)- 
tion."  Tlie  "Metate"  of  189G  says  that  this 
organization  "controls  all  the  activities  of  the 
(Jollege.  It  has  done  more  to  make  the  College 
prorrilncni  in  Southern  (/alironiia  flian  all  other 
Hliidciii  oi'gani/alioiis.  Jt  has  in  (lilTcrc'iit  years 
()rganiz(Ml  baH(!l)alI  tcuuiiH  tluit  have  ran^ly  been 

[219] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

defeated,  and  it  has  built  seven  tennis  courts,  but 
it  has  never  trained  a  football  eleven.  This  is 
largely  due  to  the  fact  that  there  has  always  been 
in  the  College  quite  a  decided  feeling  against  foot- 
ball. Hard,  faithful  work  has  given  us  triple 
honors  in  the  past.  With  very  few  advantages  it 
has  done  good  work;  with  financial  difficulties  to 
overcome  it  has  done  great  things ;  in  the  work  it 
has  had  to  do  it  has  made  its  college  lead."  The 
first  year  of  the  athletic  association  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  dollars  was  raised  among  the 
students,  home  field-day  was  established,  and 
out  of  thirteen  games  of  baseball  Pomona  won 
eleven. 

That  first  intercollegiate  field-day  was  a  great 
and  exciting  occasion.  Pomona  won  five  events; 
no  other  of  the  four  institutions  represented  se- 
cured more  than  two.  ' '  The  intrinsic  value  of  the 
day,"  ''The  Pomona  Student"  aflSrms,  ''was, 
first,  its  broadening  influence  as  we  came  in  con- 
tact with  the  outside  institutions ;  second,  the  loy- 
alty which  was  aroused  for  our  own  alma  mater." 

Much  enthusiasm  was  awakened,  and  very 
strenuous  work  was  done  by  the  boys  and  a  con- 
siderable sum  of  money  raised  to  put  the  edge  of 
the  "Wash"  into  condition  for  an  athletic  field. 
When  the  tennis  courts  were  about  ready  for  use, 
the  decree  went  forth  that  the  girls  must  not  play 
so  far  away  from  the  College.  Indignation  there- 
upon took  the  place  of  enthusiasm,  and  the  "Me- 

[220] 


ATHLETICS 

tate"   says:   "The   girls   forgot  the   injunction, 
'Let  not  your  angry  passions  rise!'  " 

Football  was  played  first  in  1892.  The  action 
of  the  Folk  Moot  in  the  fall  of  1893  throws  some 
light  on  the  status  of  the  game.  Rather  late  an 
eleven  got  into  training  and  played  some  strong 
games.  Arrangements  were  made  to  play  with 
the  *' Olives,"  a  Los  Angeles  team.  President 
Baldwin  called  a  meeting  of  the  Folk  Moot,  and 
laid  before  the  assembly  the  following  minute: 
**In  view  of  the  present  state  of  public  feeling 
against  football  contests  under  present  rules, — a 
feeling  very  general  and  existing  among  classes 
of  men  and  women  who  are  entitled  to  the  highest 
respect,  whether  that  feeling  is  founded  upon  ra- 
tional consideration  or  not;  and  in  view  of  the 
universally  conceded  facts  as  to  certain  brutal 
features  of  the  game,  which  the  present  rules  are 
ineffectual  to  prevent,  and  which  make  the  game 
as  now  played,  under  the  best  of  conditions,  to  be 
full  of  danger  to  limb  and  life  even;  therefore, 
Resolved :  That  it  is  the  sense  of  the  body  of  Po- 
mona students  and  faculty  in  Folk  Moot  assem- 
bled. First,  that  Pomona  College  hereby  records 
its  disapproval  of  all  football  contests  until  es- 
sential modifications  are  made  in  the  rules  of  the 
game  which  shall  effectually  remove  the  danger 
of  undiscovered  brutal  plays  and  which  shall  bar 
certain  mass  plays,  always  dangerous  to  life  and 
limb.     Second,  tliat  in  the  matter  of  tlie  game  al- 

[221] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ready  arranged  with  the  'Olives'  of  Los  Angeles 
for  Saturday,  December  16th,  we  ask  the  college 
team  to  send  the  manager  of  the  'Olives,'  C.  W. 
Chase,  Los  Angeles,  the  following  telegram:  'The 
decision  of  the  Folk  Moot  is  that  the  game  for 
Saturday  be  declared  off.  We  yield  to  that  deci- 
sion, and  will  pay  all  expenses  of  advertising  thus 
far  incurred,  that  your  association  may  suffer  no 
financial  loss.  Lucius  M.  Tolman,  Captain.'  " 
After  full  discussion  the  question  was  divided, 
and  the  vote  first  taken  was  on  the  preamble  and 
the  first  part  of  the  resolution.  The  vote  stood 
eighteen  for  and  eight  against  adoption.  The 
vote  on  the  second  part  of  the  resolution  was 
taken  on  an  amendment,  making  it  read,  "The 
'Olives'  game  will  be  played."  The  vote  stood 
eighty  for  and  five  against  playing  the  game. 

For  two  or  three  years  after  this  experience, 
football  had  only  moderate  support  in  the  College. 
Mr.  Van  Leuven,  a  student  with  athletic  training 
who  came  to  the  College  in  1895,  tried  with  some 
success  to  revive  it.  A  fairly  good  team  played 
some  games.  Mr.  Van  Leuven  also  made  a  be- 
ginning of  systematic  physical  instruction  for 
men  and  women,  but  it  was  several  years  before 
such  training  was  established.  The  "Metate"  of 
1896  gives  this  summary:  "Track  athletics 
have  never  failed  to  be  a  success  at  Pomona,  and 
they  did  not  fail  this  year.  The  field  day  was  not 
won  by  any  especially  brilliant  performances,  bttt 


ATHLETICS 

by  hard,  painstaking  work,  and  thanks  are  due 
the  '96  team,  not  alone  by  any  means  for  victory 
won,  but  for  a  demonstration  to  coming  genera- 
tions that  keeping  everlastingly  at  it  brings  suc- 
cess. Pomona  took  first  place  in  five  events,  and 
she  took  second  place  in  all  the  rest."  ''Although 
there  was  no  football  team  the  next  year,  never- 
theless athletics  made  a  decided  gain  under  Mr. 
Van  Leuven's  guidance,  and  success  came  in 
track  events  both  this  and  the  following  two 
years, — the  last  being  the  sixth  time.  In  football, 
with  a  strong  team  under  Mr.  Allen's  coaching, 
we  were  beaten;  also  in  baseball." 

In  1897  Pomona  adopted  the  plan  of  allowing 
every  one  who  makes  the  championship  team  of 
football,  baseball  or  tennis,  or  who  wins  a  first 
place  on  intercollegiate  field  day,  the  privilege  of 
wearing  a  **P."  In  1898  for  the  first  time  Po- 
mona's lawn  tennis  team  played  outside  teams. 
It  gained  one  game  and  lost  one.  Lack  of  outside 
competition  did  not  prevent  more  students  play- 
ing this  game  than  any  other.  The  intercolle- 
giate tennis  league  had  not  been  formed.  The 
same  year  the  women's  basketball  team  was  or- 
ganized, and  f)hiyed  with  outside  teams,  but  had 
no  int<;rc()ll(!giate  games.  In  May  of  tliis  year  a 
strong  appeal  was  made  for  a  gymnasium,  and 
Home  ijioiK^y  was  raised  for  the  pur|)ose.  This 
inovM'irient  iw'siilied  the  following  year  in  the  AVil- 
iiaiii  Uenwi(;k  (jlyninaHiiiiii.     'IMi(»re  was  no  int<'r- 

[  22;}  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

collegiate  field-day  in  1899,  since  the  University 
of  Southern  California  had  withdrawn  from  the 
Intercollegiate  Athletic  Association.  Pomona, 
however,  was  victorious  in  all  the  games  played 
with  other  institutions. 

The  next  year  was  characterized  by  the  comple- 
tion and  dedication  of  the  gymnasium.  The 
building  is  of  wood,  except  the  front,  which  is  of 
plaster  on  metallic  lathing.  It  is  ninety  by  forty- 
five  feet  on  the  floor.  At  one  end  is  a  gallery  for 
spectators;  at  the  other  end  is  a  second  story  in 
which  are  baths,  dressing  rooms  and  lockers.  Its 
equipment  is  fairly  complete.  Mrs.  Eenwick,  a 
large  donor  toward  its  cost,  later  put  in  two  fine 
bowling  alleys  on  the  north  side  of  the  room, 
which  were  used  for  a  j^ear  or  two,  but  finally 
were  removed  to  accommodate  the  large  g}Tn- 
nastic  classes  in  their  mass  drill. 

At  the  dedication  of  the  building,  Rev.  Robert 
J.  Burdette  gave  the  principal  address,  which  was 
characteristic  of  the  man,  remarkable  for  its  fine 
spirit,  good  sense  and  flashes  of  incomparable 
humor. 

This  gynmasium  has  been  a  great  gain  to  the 
college  life.  It  has  given  fitting  room  and  ap- 
paratus, amidst  sanitary  conditions,  for  the  physi- 
cal development  of  the  students,  and  even  more, 
has  made  possible  and  lent  digTiity  to  prescribed 
exercises  for  the  whole  college  body,  thus  lifting 
this  important  part  of  education  into  a  recognized 

[  224  ] 


ATHLETICS 

department  of  the  College.  Twelve  years  of  ex- 
perience fully  corroborate  a  statement  made  by 
President  Ferguson,  namely,  "It  is  not  too  much 
to  affirm  that  no  other  form  of  investment  of  five 
thousand  dollars  could  have  made  a  richer  con- 
tribution to  the  wholesome  life  of  the  student 
body,  or  the  most  permanent  welfare  of  the  insti- 
tution." This  affirmation  is  emphasized  by  the 
change  of  sentiment  in  the  College,  and  the 
growth  in  the  demand  for  athletic  conveniences 
and  opportunities. 

In  1899  and  several  following  years  Pomona 
came  to  her  own  in  football.  In  1900  Pomona's 
goal  was  not  crossed  in  the  seven  games  played. 
Perkins,  Blount  and  Wharton  were  the  coaches 
in  successive  years.  In  track  for  the  eleventh 
successive  year,  in  baseball  and  tennis,  Pomona 
was  likewise  successful. 

The  year  1903  marked  an  era  in  athletics.  The 
College  then,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Athletic 
Association,  began  collecting  from  each  student 
five  dolhirs  a  year  as  atliletics  fee,  and  employ- 
ing both  physical  director  and  coach.  The  name 
of  Walter  Ilempel  was  the  first  to  appear  in  the 
catalogue  as  director  of  the  gymnasium.  He  in- 
Ktitut(Hl  regular  physical  instruct  ion  and  ])ractice 
for  tli(!  young  men  and  young  women.  IMiyHicians 
w(!re  Heciircd,  physical  examinations  were  re- 
<|nir«'(l,  ;iii(|  tlic  dcpailiMcnt  was  carried  on  in 
a    vv.iy    carcrul    and    Hystcnuitic    manner.      Mr. 

[225] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Hempel  was  a  good  trainer  and  coach,  and  ath- 
letics were  made  much  more  prominent  than  ever 
before.  The  second  year  of  his  w^ork,  the  '*Me- 
tate"  says,  was  ''the  most  successful  one  in  the 
history  of  the  Athletic  Association.  It  embraced 
eight  track  records. ' '  The  plan  adopted  the  year 
before  was  satisfactory  to  every  one.  Much  credit 
was  given  to  Mr.  Hempel.  This  year  the  block 
"P"  was  set  apart  for  football,  and  special 
"P's"  made  to  distinguish  each  of  the  other 
branches  of  athletics. 

The  completion  of  the  Alumni  Athletic  Field 
under  the  direction  of  Professor  Arthur  Smith 
in  1906  was  an  event  of  importance.  It  was  a 
great  task,  including  the  removal  of  an  incon- 
ceivable number  of  stones  from  the  grounds,  and 
the  bringing  in  of  a  large  amount  of  suitable  soil. 
The  work  was  done  thoroughly  and  was  most 
creditable  and  satisfactory.  The  field  is  ideal  in 
location,  adjoining  the  gymnasium,  and  in  com- 
pleteness and  finish  it  is  unsurpassed.  "Water 
was  brought  in  pipes,  the  field  well  drained,  and 
every  provision  made  to  keep  it  in  repair. 
Bleachers  were  constructed  looking  across  the 
field,  over  the  parking  place  for  carriages  and 
automobiles  and  the  enclosing  hedge,  up  to  the 
foothills,  with  one  of  the  very  finest  views  of  ' '  Old 
Baldy."  Just  back  of  the  bleachers  is  the  base- 
ball diamond,  "with  its  own  bleachers, — also  an 
ideal  field. 

[226] 


ATHLETICS 

After  phenomenal  victories  for  years,  there 
were  two  or  three  years  of  less  success,  although 
good  work  was  done  under  Hastings  and  Noble 
as  coaches,  and  under  Noble  alone,  followed  by 
Pierce.  In  1906-07  the  track  team  won  wide- 
spread plaudits,  making  four  Southern  California 
intercollegiate  records,  three  of  which  were  also 
Pacific  Coast  intercollegiate  records.  Again  in 
1907-08  the  track  team  was  successful,  adding 
more  records;  baseball  also  was  victorious.  Ar- 
thur Claude  Braden  came  as  physical  director  in 
1906  and  continued  two  years.  Mr.  Braden  was 
an  admirable  director  and  a  Christian  gentleman, 
esteemed  by  the  faculty  and  the  whole  student 
body.  The  ''Metate"  of  '09  says  of  him:  ''Mr. 
Braden  has  put  into  his  work  the  earnest  efforts 
of  a  wide-awake  Christian  athlete.  He  has  crys- 
tallized and  augmented  in  the  minds  of  the  men 
under  his  charge,  and  indeed  throughout  the 
whole  student  body,  the  necessity  of  pure  athlet- 
ics. His  strong,  persistent  plea  throughout  all 
his  occupations,  whether  on  the  field,  in  the  gym- 
nasium, or  at  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation meetings,  for  men  to  keep  not  only  their 
souls  but  also  their  bodies  strong  and  clean,  will 
sound  in  our  hearts  for  many  years  to  come." 
It  was  with  universal  regret  that  he  left,  in  order 
to  carry  out  his  plan  for  an  investigating  trip 
around  tiie  world. 
•  Mr.   William  Layton   Stanton,  B.A.,  was  eu- 

[227  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

gaged  as  physical  director  in  1908.  He  has 
proven  a  great  acquisition  to  Pomona.  He  is 
successful  in  training  his  large  classes,  and  in 
maintaining  interest  and  enthusiasm.  As  coach, 
in  football  and  in  track  athletics,  he  wins  and  re- 
tains the  confidence  of  the  teams  and  the  whole 
college  to  a  remarkable  degree.  Few  have  his 
ability  to  inspire  men.  He  is  never  at  a  loss.  If 
good  material  drops  out  at  graduation,  he  finds 
new,  and  somehow  produces  strong  teams.  A 
long  list  of  successful  men  and  a  goodly  number 
of  teams  under  his  training  might  be  mentioned. 
Always  insisting  on  high  ideals,  he  lifts  his  de- 
partment into  a  place  of  respect  and  dignity. 
Together  with  his  success  in  physical  training, 
Mr.  Stanton  has  been  very  helpful  to  the  students 
in  putting  upon  the  stage  their  plays.  As  a  well- 
rounded  man  few  physical  directors  and  coaches 
equal  Mr.  Stanton. 

As  early  as  1902-03,  Miss  Frances  R.  Gardner 
was  employed  as  physical  trainer  for  young 
women,  with  a  good  measure  of  success;  but  she 
left  at  the  end  of  the  year  to  graduate  at  Stan- 
ford, where  physical  training  is  accredited  as  a 
part  of  the  curriculum  to  an  extent  which  Po- 
mona never  has  allowed.  Not  until  1909  was  the 
permanent  policy  inaugnirated  of  having  a  woman 
as  physical  director  of  women.  At  that  time 
Miss  Maude  Allene  Monroe,  a  graduate  of  Ober- 
lin,  took  up  the  work  and  carried  it  on  for  a  year, 

[228] 


ATHLETICS 

when  Miss  Laura  Charlton  Squire,  one  of  Po- 
mona's own  graduates,  who  had  taken  special 
training  work  in  this  department  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  California,  was  made  physical  director 
and  continued  for  two  years  with  acceptance.  At 
her  own  request  she  then  was  accorded  leave  of 
absence  for  study  of  physical  training  at  Welles- 
ley  College,  and  Miss  Edna  Lee  Roof,  a  Po- 
mona graduate  as  well,  took  her  place.  The 
exhibitions  of  Miss  Squire's  training  were  very 
creditable,  and  afforded  great  satisfaction.  In 
like  manner  Miss  Roof  has  done  good  work.  Her 
training  of  the  dancers  for  the  pageant  was  most 
excellent. 

In  a  1912  *'Metate"  article  on  ''The  Advance 
of  Athletics"  are  significant  statements  from  the 
students'  standpoint:  ''The  era  of  the  Greater 
Pomona  began  with  the  time  when  we  engaged  a 
coach  who  was  to  be  permanent.  ...  In  the  past 
three  years  we  have  turned  out  a  championship 
football  team  twice,  a  championship  baseball 
team  three  times,  and  a  team  rightly  deserving 
the  track  cliampionship  the  past  year.  But  the 
change  which  means  the  most  to  the  school  is  to 
be  found  in  tlie  altitude  of  tlie  student  body. 
Every  man  is  headed  forward;  the  whole  ten- 
dency is  to  progress." 

Later,  on  tlie  recommendation  of  a  comniitlee 
from  trMiste(!H,  faculty,  alumni  and  student  body, 
tli(;  annual  live  dollar  l'e(!  was  Huperscdcd  by  set- 

[  221)  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ting  apart  yearly  three  per  cent,  of  the  amount 
received  for  tuitions  as  a  fund  to  be  used  for  the 
athletic  interests  of  the  students.  This  fund  has 
paid  the  physical  director  and  the  coach. 


[230] 


CHAPTER  XVI 

WORKING  HALLS 

At  the  outset  Sumner  Hall  was  verily  a  work- 
ing hall  in  the  broadest  sense.  It  housed  every 
department  and  every  function  of  the  College. 
It  is  now  simply  a  dormitory,  with  recreation  and 
entertainment  rooms,  and  as  such  has  been 
treated  in  another  chapter. 

Assuming  competent  and  efficient  teachers 
and  a  suitable  library,  nowhere  are  the  disad- 
vantages and  crippling  effects  of  poverty  in  a 
young  college  so  bitterly  felt  as  in  cramped,  in- 
convenient, uncomfortable  and  poorly  equipped 
working  halls.  Good  work  is  possible  under  ad- 
verse conditions,  if  the  instructor  has  the  rare 
adaptive  a])ility,  the  persistent  fidelity  and  the  in- 
ventive skill  shown  by  some  of  Pomona's  teach- 
ers. But  the  average  state  University  man, 
looking  over  Pomona's  facilities  from  time  to 
time  in  tlie  past,  might  have  pronounced  good 
work  impossibh;.  What,  for  instance,  had  l*ro- 
f(;ssor  Brack(;ti  in  IIk;  shape  of  scientific  equip- 
ment in  (^larcmont  Hall?  How  could  lie  do  good 
work  in  aslrononiy  before^  the  Observatory  was 
built  and  ('(iiii)»p('(l?     Again,  how  could  Profes- 

[2:;i  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

sor  Hitchcock  do  good  work  in  cliemistry  in 
Holmes  Hall  basement?  Or  in  physics  without 
any  apparatus?  How  could  Professor  Cook  do 
good  work  without  microscopes  in  his  room  in 
Holmes  Hall?  And  yet  these  men  did  remark- 
ably fine  work,  and  with  others  helped  to  give 
Pomona  her  reputation. 

In  these  days  of  specialization  requiring  so 
much  apparatus,  a  building,  to  be  perfectly 
suited  to  any  department,  must  be  specially 
planned  and  equipped  for  that  department.  A 
part  of  a  building  intended  for  another  purpose 
may  be  adjusted  to  a  required  use  for  a  time, 
but  always  with  drawbacks  unless  the  teacher  is 
unusually  resourceful.  Crowding,  however,  is 
always  bad ;  often  it  is  fatal  to  high  efficiency. 

Two  business  men  in  a  street  car  some  years 
ago  paid  their  fares,  each  with  a  commutation 
ticket,  while  a  woman  with  a  market  basket  paid 
her  fare  in  money,  about  twice  as  much  as  the 
commutation  rate.  One  of  the  men  quietly  said 
to  his  companion,  "How  true  it  is  that  the  ruin 
of  the  poor  is  their  poverty."  In  the  case  of 
teacher  and  taught,  however,  if  really  in  earnest, 
poverty  may  bring  some  compensation.  The 
great  thing  to  be  sought  in  life  is  character. 
Obstacles  surmounted,  disadvantages  overcome, 
develop  character  in  teacher  and  student.  Char- 
acter in  teacher  and  student  means  character  in 
an  institution.    In  the  long  run,  does  not  charac- 

[232] 


WORKING  HALLS 

ter  in  an  educational  institution  imply  scliolar- 
ship,  even  if  character  be  a  "by-product,"  as 
President  Wilson  contends? 

The  boys  were  crowded  out  of  Claremont  Hall 
at  the  beginning  of  the  second  year.  By  the  third 
year  it  was  full  of  girls,  and  the  recitation  rooms 
were  insufficient  in  number  and  all  were  over- 
crowded. Commodious  as  the  hall  was  at  first, 
with  thirty  or  forty  students  doing  little  but  pre- 
paratory work,  it  was  totally  inadequate  at  every 
point  for  one  hundred  and  fifty,  including  two 
college  classes.  The  demands  for  added  room 
were  numerous  and  most  insistent.  The  new 
hall  must  provide  for  a  multitude  of  necessities. 
Mrs.  and  Miss  Holmes  of  Monson,  Massachu- 
setts, referred  to  in  chapter  twenty-six,  learning 
and  appreciating  the  extremity  of  the  College, 
kindly  proposed  to  give  the  money  required 
for  a  new  hall.  As  soon  as  funds  were  assured, 
preparations  were  made  for  the  Cyrus  AV.  Holmes, 
Jr.,  Hall.  Mr.  C.  H.  Brown  of  Los  Angeles  was 
employed  as  architect,  and  most  faithfully  did  he 
work  witli  the  committee  in  trying  to  meet  iho. 
needs.  The  pk^dge  was  to  be  paid  in  five  annual 
installments,  so  that  it  must  be  discounted  for  im- 
mediate use.  It  was  found  that  tlie  money  avail- 
al)I(i  was  irisullicient  for  tlie  erection  of  a  hall  of 
ad(!(|uat(!  Ki/(;  of  ])rick  or  stone,  liy  reason  of 
business  depression  in  Soiilhcin  California,  buiUl- 

[  233  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ing  was  at  its  lowest  ebb.  In  Los  Angeles  many 
builders  had  large  amounts  of  lumber  in  stock 
which  they  could  ill  afford  to  carry.  Here  was 
the  chance  to  get  what  seemed  to  be  absolutely  in- 
dispensable. A  thoroughly  reliable  man  was 
found  who  would  build  at  cost,  charging  only 
wholesale  prices  for  his  lumber.  The  contract 
w^as  a  surprise,  and  it  was  honorably  and  consci- 
entiously carried  out.  Mr.  John  Hanlon  of  Los 
Angeles,  the  contractor,  worked  with  the  archi- 
tect and  committee,  and  the  result  was  a  very  eco- 
nomical, well-built  and  capacious  hall,  supplying 
a  wide  range  of  wants,  and  making  reasonable 
provision  for  the  added  room  needed. 

The  main  building  had  two  stories,  a  partial 
basement  and  a  bell  tower.  The  halls  were  large, 
well  lighted  and  airy.  A  chemical  laboratory 
was  arranged  in  the  basement ;  on  the  main  floor 
were  seven  recitation  rooms  and  two  offices;  on 
the  second  floor  seven  recitation  rooms  and  two 
offices.  A  beautiful  and  commodious  chapel,  with 
seating  capacity  for  three  hundred  persons,  occu- 
pied the  ell  extending  toward  the  east.  The  walls 
were  covered  with  alpine  plaster  about  as  hard 
as  cement,  and  the  finish  was  redwood.  The 
building  was  at  first  heated  by  the  hot  water  sys- 
tem and  lighted  by  kerosene  lamps.  A  little  later 
it  was  heated  by  steam  and  lighted  by  electricity. 

The  money  needed  for  furnishing  the  hall  was 
obtained  by  solicitation.     The  chapel  was   sup- 

[234] 


WORKING  HALLS 

plied  with  opera  chairs;  the  recitation  rooms  at 
first  with  plain  chairs,  later  with  tablet  arm- 
chairs. The  floors  of  the  halls  and  the  aisles  were 
covered  with  hemp  matting,  suitable  desks  and 
tables  were  provided,  and  very  soon  a  large  reed 
organ  was  put  into  the  chapel.  One  room  was 
enclosed  in  brick  for  the  use  of  the  library;  one 
was  used  for  a  reading-room,  one  for  the  busi- 
ness office,  one  for  a  society  room.  A  bell  was 
given  for  the  tower — the  college  bell,  whose  tones 
would  be  recognized  by  every  alumnus.  When 
complete,  the  general  effect  was  neat,  comfort- 
able, expansive,  and  well  adapted  to  the  demands. 

The  dedication  took  place  early  in  January, 
1893.  In  spite  of  the  rain,  which  came  down  in 
torrents,  guests  in  large  numbers  came  from  Los 
Angeles,  Riverside,  Ontario,  Pomona  and  other 
cities,  quite  filling  the  new  chapel.  Rev.  C.  0. 
Brown,  D.D.,  of  San  Francisco,  gave  the  address. 
The  secretary,  in  behalf  of  the  donors,  made  the 
presentation;  Mr.  Bent  for  the  trustees  received 
the  keys.  Ex-president  Brooks  of  Tabor  College 
ofT(;rod  the  prayer  of  dedication;  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
lirannan.  Miss  Brannau  .-iiid  Professor  Bissell, 
will)  a  student  cliorus,  fiiriiislKMl  ilie  iinisic.  A 
hincli  was  s(;rved  at  the  noon  hour. 

^J^he  'SSiud(;nt  Ijife"  says  respecting  the  hall: 
**Tho  long  expected  has  hai)pened.  We  are  oc- 
(Mjf)ying  our  new  building.  Oonsi)i(Mious  as  the 
shapely  Hiruclun!  is  among  Whi  oilier  ohjecls  of 

L  2:{r>  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

the  landscape,  it  is  doubtless  destined  to  play  a 
still  more  prominent  part  as  a  promoter  of  the 
general  welfare  of  the  college.  Every  branch  of 
the  college  will  take  on  new  dignity  and  will  feel 
a  new  impetus,  and  we  shall  have  as  a  result  in- 
creased standing  with  men  and  institutions 
abroad.  The  item  of  convenience  to  ourselves 
hardly  needs  to  be  touched  upon. 

''In  its  influence  upon  the  social  life  of  the  stu- 
dents, the  benefit  to  be  derived  from  the  new 
building  can  hardly  be  estimated.  The  literary 
societies  are  already  feeling  the  stimulus  of  their 
new  surroundings.  ...  As  a  new  church  home 
alone,  the  chapel  would  mark  an  epoch.  No  de- 
partment of  the  College  rejoices  more  at  the 
change  than  does  the  conservatory"  of  music, 
*'and  so  we  all  rejoice  together." 

The  value  of  the  Chapel  to  the  Claremont 
Church,  and  so  to  the  community  for  a  dozen 
years,  until  a  meetinghouse  could  be  built,  can- 
not be  estimated.  With  the  drain  upon  the  citi- 
zens to  keep  the  College  alive,  it  was  impossible 
for  some  time  to  build  a  church  home,  and  in  the 
Chapel  were  found  ample  accommodations  for  re- 
ligious services  on  Sundays  and  on  week  days. 
It  helped  wonderfully  to  keep  the  College  and  the 
community  in  sympathy,  and  in  this  way  has  been 
a  tower  of  strength  to  the  College. 

Six  years  later,  when  Pearsons  Hall  of  Science 
was  dedicated,  providing  for  the  departments  of 

[236] 


WOEKING  HALLS 

chemistry,  biology  and  physics,  the  library,  read- 
ing room  and  business  office  were  removed  thither, 
for  the  sake  of  greater  security  and  better  accom- 
modations, and  also  to  vacate  rooms  in  Holmes 
Hall  that  were  much  needed  for  recitation 
purposes. 

In  1904  the  Chapel  was  outgrown,  and  by  the 
kindness  of  Miss  Holmes  it  was  nearly  doubled 
in  size,  two  small  music  rooms  were  added  at  the 
east  end,  and  more  room  was  provided  in  the 
basement. 

Again,  when  the  library  building  was  in  condi- 
tion for  use,  the  society  room  in  Holmes  Hall  was 
vacated,  to  give  a  place  for  the  art  department; 
and  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  the 
department  of  astronomy,  and  in  part  the  depart- 
ments of  mathematics,  of  economics  and  of  Eng- 
lish, left  Holmes  Hall  in  order  to  meet  the  fur- 
ther requirements  for  recitation  rooms.  Later, 
with  the  occupation  of  Rembrandt  Hall,  the  art 
department  was  removed  thither  for  the  same 
reason. 

Every  college  building  has  its  own  special  asso- 
ciations. Sumner  Hall  has  the  advantage  of 
first  things,  and  the  combination  wliich  came 
when  everything,  night  and  day  and  Sunday,  was 
concentrated  under  one  roof.  Holmes  Hall  has 
known  nothing  of  the  boarding  and  dormitory 
life,  liut  everything  else  in  student  life  has  its 
associations  with  Holmes  Hall — recitations,  mu- 

[  237  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

sic,  art,  reading  room,  library,  literary  societies, 
social  functions,  daily  chapel,  Sunday  services 
and  other  forms  of  religious  conference.  Every 
room  and  hall  has  its  oAvn  peculiar  associations, 
serious  or  amusing,  of  encouragement  or  discour- 
agement, of  victory  or  defeat.  Mischief  has  been 
planned  and  executed,  out  of  fun  rather  than 
malice.  The  bell  tongue  has  been  spirited  away, 
to  be  found  years  after  in  a  distant  reservoir. 
The  chapel  Bible  has  been  abstracted — it  is  to  be 
hoped  for  private  reading  and  study.  The  regis- 
trar's safe,  with  labor  more  severe  than  football, 
has  been  hidden  from  the  piercing  eye  of  the  dean, 
to  be  discovered  when  the  joke  had  gone  far 
enough.  It  is  not  recorded  how  many  raids  for 
Hallowe'en  sport,  and  with  more  questionable 
purpose,  on  near-by  orchards,  have  been  con- 
cocted here. 

All  this  lighter  vein  has  been  occasional,  w^hile 
the  more  serious  activities  have  been  continuous 
day  by  day  throughout  the  years.  One  has  been 
cheered  by  reports  of  good  scholarship,  or 
shamed  by  a  warning  from  the  dean;  one  made 
good  resolutions,  kept  them  honestly  for  a  time, 
then  broke  them ;  one  turned  over  a  new  leaf,  en- 
tered upon  a  new,  higher,  richer  life,  and  has  ever 
since  been  reaping  the  fruits  in  larger  manhood 
or  womanhood.  How  many  words  of  life  have 
been  spoken,  how  many  mighty  prayers  of  inter- 
cession have  been  lifted  up  in  that  chapel  and  m 

[  238  ] 


WORKING  HALLS 

some  of  the  smaller  rooms!  How  many  have 
been  inspired  by  the  eager  attention  of  the  stu- 
dent body,  and  in  turn  have  inspired  their 
hearers ! 

Not  all  the  conferences  have  been  of  a  serious 
character.  The  song  and  the  cheer  have  not  been 
wanting.  Victories  in  oratory  and  debate  and 
athletics  as  well,  have  been  won  by  the  plans  con- 
ceived, the  work  done  and  the  enthusiasm  inspired 
in  this  hall,  and  here  they  have  been  celebrated. 

Who  can  tell  where  and  when  the  tides  of  be- 
neficent influence,  started  so  early  in  the  life  of  the 
College,  shall  cease  to  flow?  How  little  has  the 
material  of  the  building  to  do  with  the  usefulness 
of  the  structure !  How  supremely  effective  timeli- 
ness in  giving  may  be !  Pomona  College  could  not 
have  been  what  it  is,  quite  possibly  could  not  have 
continued  to  exist,  without  Holmes  Hall.  How 
rich  and  grand,  especially,  these  gifts  of  early 
years,  which  so  largely  determine  the  character 
of  the  institution. 

D.  K.  Pearsons  Hall  of  Science,  the  third  of 
Pomona's  important  buildings,  was  completed 
nnd  dedi(;;it('d  in  1890.  Tn  mVA,  while  the  friends 
of  tlio  Collcgf;  were  rejoicing  in  tlio  all-sunicicnt 
provision  for  tlieir  present  needs  througli  the  now 
llolmcH  Hall,  llic  proph(»t  who  perchance  sug- 
geslrMl  tlie  possibility  that  wilhin  fiv(»  years  the 
College  would  Ix'  so  far  dcvi'Iopcfl,  and  ci'owdcd 

[  2.^9  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

so  sadly,  that  the  demands  for  a  science  hall  could 
no  longer  be  denied,  would  have  been  thought  to 
lack  good,  sound  common  sense. 

Yet  so  President  Ferguson  found  it  in  1897,  and 
set  himself  resolutely  to  supply  the  need.  Un- 
der his  presentation  of  the  facts  and  his  persua- 
sion. Dr.  Pearsons  was  led  to  appreciate  this 
need,  and  with  that  very  shrewd  foresight  which 
characterized  all  his  gifts  he  gave  to  the  new  pres- 
ident the  following  pledge :  ' '  When  all  the  debts 
of  Pomona  College  are  paid,  all  current  expenses 
met,  then  and  not  till  then  will  I  give  you  twenty- 
five  thousand  dollars  for  the  purpose  of  building 
a  science  hall  for  the  benefit  of  Pomona  College. 
Truly,  D.  K.  Pearsons."  This  document,  so  clear 
and  specific,  elicited  the  following  action  from  the 
Board  of  Trustees  at  a  meeting  held  January  11, 
1898:  ''Whereas  Dr.  D.  K.  Pearsons,  in  that 
munificent  spirit  which  has  so  bountifully  blessed 
the  cause  of  Christian  education  all  over  the  land, 
has  not  only  made  a  subscription  of  twenty  thou- 
sand dollars  to  the  endo"\\Tnent  fund  of  Pomona 
College  (which  he  has  already  paid),  but  has  fur- 
ther given  a  pledge  to  build  for  the  College  a 
science  hall  costing  not  less  than  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars,  attaching  to  this  proposition  the 
condition  that  we  first  provide  for  the  extinction 
of  the  debt,  therefore  be  it  Resolved:  That  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  Pomona  College  hereby  ex- 
press to  Dr.  D.  K.  Pearsons  their  grateful  appre- 

[240] 


WORKING  HALLS 

elation  of  liis  generous  provision  for  the  needs  of 
the  college,  and  their  determined  purpose  to  ful- 
fill the  conditions  upon  which  the  latter  gift  was 
made  as  soon  as  possible." 

The  conditions  were  met  with  surprising 
promptness,  and  the  Building  Committee  went  to 
work  on  the  plans.  By  exchange  of  lots  the  right 
location  was  secured,  and  Mr.  C.  H.  BrowTi  was 
again  employed  as  architect.  After  careful  dis- 
cussion, the  plain  classical  style  was  decided  upon 
as  best  suited  for  the  permanent  use  of  the  Col- 
lege. President  Ferguson  then,  with  the  Com- 
mittee and  the  architect,  made  a  very  thorough 
study  of  the  internal  structure,  with  a  view  to 
meeting  the  necessities  in  the  most  artistic,  con- 
venient and  economical  manner.  The  result  was 
most  happy.  The  hall,  built  of  straw-colored 
Milwaukee  pressed  brick,  two  stories  high,  with  a 
basement  under  the  whole  building,  with  heavy 
cornice,  deep-set  multiform  windows,  stately  en- 
trance and  red  tile  roof,  is  simple,  yet  substantial 
and  satisfying  in  appearance.  Whatever  the 
oth(!r  buildings  on  the  campus  in  the  future,  of 
this  one  Pomonfi  will  never  be  ashamed.  The 
building  is  semi-fireproof.  Every  part  was  up  to 
date,  at  the  time,  from  a  scientific  standpoint. 
'I'he  basement  is  given  up  to  chemistry,  the  first 
floor  adnpicd  to  y)hysicH,  and  the  second  slory  to 
biology  and  a  nniHcuni.  The  lower  hall  at  the  eii- 
Iranco  has  floor,  stairs  and  wainscoting  of  oak, 

[  241  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

and  is  spacious  and  Avell  lighted.  So,  too,  the 
business  office  and  what  was  the  president's  room 
were  finished  in  oak,  by  the  kindness  of  the  con- 
tractor, Mr.  C.  J.  Kubach,  of  Los  Angeles.  The 
whole  structure,  in  appearance  and  stability,  is  a 
credit  to  the  architect  and  the  contractor.  The 
same  building  today  would  cost  nearly  twice  as 
much.  The  furnishing  is  in  harmony  with  the 
building. 

The  dedication  was  a  marked  occasion,  bring- 
ing together  alumni  and  friends  of  the  College, 
with  representatives  from  the  universities  and 
colleges  of  the  whole  State.  Opening  with  the 
hjonn,  ''0  Worship  the  King,"  Dr.  McLean  fol- 
lowed with  the  reading  of  Scriptural  selections 
and  prayer.  The  Choral  Union  sang  the  anthem, 
' '  Thou  Shalt  Keep  Him  in  Perfect  Peace. ' '  Pres- 
ident Ferguson  then,  on  behalf  of  the  donor,  made 
the  presentation  address,  to  which  Dr.  Warren  F. 
Day  responded  for  the  Board  of  Trustees.  The 
scientific  department  was  represented  in  an  ad- 
dress by  Professor  Hitchcock,  and  the  prayer  of 
dedication  was  led  by  Dr.  L.  H.  Frary.  After  the 
singing  of  the  hymn,  *'The  Spacious  Firmament 
on  High,"  the  audience  adjourned  to  the  Chapel 
and  listened  to  a  scholarly  address  by  Professor 
Thomas  B.  Bacon,  of  the  University  of  California, 
on  ''Natural  Science  as  a  Factor  in  Education." 
Lunch  was  served,  and  in  the  afternoon  Professor 
Walter  Miller,  of  Stanford  University,  delivered 

[242] 


WORKING  HALLS 

an  address  of  great  interest  on  ' '  The  Old  and  the 
New  in  Education."  Congratulations  were  re- 
ceived from  the  representatives  of  other  Southern 
California  institutions.  ''Thus  closed  a  day," 
says  the  ''Student  Life"  in  a  vein  fairly  repre- 
sentative, "rich  in  expressions  of  praise  for  the 
Avork  done  by  Pomona  College,  but  richer  in  the 
aug-ur}^  of  things  yet  to  be  in  the  history  of  this 
institution,  whose  work,  though  marked,  has 
really  just  begun."  And  again,  "The  sense  of 
opening  opportunity,  the  pure  pleasure  of  seeing 
things  grow,  is  not  the  least  of  the  joys  in  attend- 
ing a  young  college. ' ' 

The  relief  given  by  this  new  hall  was  second 
only  to  the  wider  relief  given  by  Holmes  Hall. 
The  convenience  and  added  facilities  afforded 
the  science  department  could  hardly  be  over- 
estimated. 

The  Frank  P.  Brackett  Observatory  brings  the 
history  down  eleven  years,  to  the  beginning  of 
the  era  of  the  Greater  Pomona. 

Early  in  the  year  1892  Mr.  Thomas  Barrows, 
through  the  personal  solicitation  of  friends,  was 
inKti'umental  in  securing  for  the  College  a  second- 
hand tcilescopo,  with  a  six-inch  object  glass,  pro- 
nounced by  Messrs.  Alvin  Clark  &  Sons,  the 
mnkers,  "one  of  our  best."  One  eyepiece  magni- 
i'uul  four  liundr(jd  an<l  forty  times, — "railier  high 
for  the  moon  and  tlie  phmets,  but  just  the  thing 

[243] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

for  double  stars,"  according  to  Mr.  Clark.  The 
instrument  was  in  use,  while  unmounted,  for 
nearly  two  years.  A  pier  and  platform — all  that 
was  permissible  in  that  situation — were  then  built 
on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  library  block,  for 
temporary  use.  This  was  verily  a  rude  structure, 
both  in  appearance  and  for  convenience;  never- 
theless it  was  fairly  accurate  and  solid  in  its  con- 
struction, so  that  some  creditable  work  was  done 
which  received  favorable  notice.  At  that  time 
this  was  the  only  work  of  the  kind  done  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  State. 

So  utterly  inadequate  were  the  accommoda- 
tions, and  so  ugly  was  this  structure  on  the 
campus,  that  the  Science  Club,  under  the  lead  of 
Professor  Brackett,  early  began  to  plan  for  an 
observatory  for  astronomical  purposes.  Disap- 
pointment after  disappointment  came,  and  no 
progress  was  made.  The  College  was  growing  so 
rapidly  and  the  demands  were  so  many  and  vari- 
ous that  it  was  impossible  to  concentrate  on  the 
Observatory.  Meantime  the  graduating  classes 
were  showing  more  and  more  interest  in  astron- 
omy. One  of  the  graduates,  Mr.  Llewellyn  Bixby, 
of  the  class  of  1901,  six  years  after  graduation 
generously  gave  the  funds  for  a  small  but  very 
complete  working  observatory.  The  structure 
was  designed  by  Professor  Brackett,  built  of  field 
stone  and  concrete,  and  sunnounted  by  a  dome- 
room  and  revolving  dome.    It  was  intended  espe- 

[244] 


WORKING  HALLS 

cially  to  be  of  service  to  the  students  in  the  study 
of  the  stars,  while  it  was  also  fitted  for  the  study- 
ing of  the  sun.  Delightfully  located  among  the 
trees,  and  towering  well  above  them  on  the  little 
table-land  in  Blanchard  Park,  it  is  decidedly  pic- 
turesque. A  new  equatorial  telescope  with  a 
Clark  objective  of  six  inches'  clear  aperture,  and 
a  mounting  which  includes  driving  clock  and  other 
modern  conveniences,  made  by  William  Goertner 
of  Chicago,  takes  the  place  of  the  old  one,  now 
ruined.  A  three-inch  astronomical  transit  and 
chronograph,  both  made  by  the  Goertner  Com- 
pany, were  presented  by  Miss  Martha  N.  Hatha- 
way and  Mr.  George  H.  Bixby.  A  standard  Riefler 
clock  for  mean  solar  time  has  been  installed  in  the 
clock  room,  and  a  less  expensive  clock  for  sidereal 
time  will  be  used  until  means  are  provided  for 
another  high-grade  clock  to  accompany  the 
Riefler. 

''Judge  Charles  E.  Harwood  and  others  have 
provided  moans  for  an  instrument  of  the  ccelostat 
type  to  be  used  in  the  spectroscopic  study  of  the 
Kun.  It  employs  an  object  glass  of  six  inch  aper- 
lui'o  and  forty  feet  focal  length." 

Aft(!r  the  completion  of  the  ()])servatory,  time 
was  given  for  tlic;  fui'iiisliing  and  eciuipmcnt,  so 
far  as  it  has  gone,  before  the  day  of  dedication, 
when  lin'  Lil)rMry  and  Smih\y  Hall  were  also 
d(Mli(;at(!(l. 

In  anticipation  ol'  lli<'  dcdicaiion  of  the  ()l)S(!rv- 

1  'Jir,  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

atoiy,  Mr.  George  EUery  Hale,  LL.D.,  of  the 
Mount  Wilson  Solar  Observatory,  delivered  an 
address  the  evening  before  on  *  *  The  Relationship 
of  Astronomy  to  Other  Branches  of  Science,  as 
Illustrated  by  Recent  Solar  Discoveries."  The 
address  was  illustrated  with  stereopticon  views, 
and  made  very  clear  the  advance  in  the  methods 
of  astronomical  research  by  means  of  the  spectro- 
heliograph,  of  which  he  is  the  inventor.  He  also 
described  some  of  the  recent  very  important  dis- 
coveries made  on  Mount  Wilson. 


[246] 


CHAPTER  XVII 

PRESIDENT  GATES'  ADMINISTRATION 
A^Tien  President  Ferguson's  administration 
Avas  ended  it  required  little  time  or  thought  to  de- 
termine the  general  type  of  the  successor  needed. 
There  was  no  difference  of  opinion.  All  wanted 
an  educator  as  a  leader.  The  Board  of  Trustees 
rallied  as  one  man.  They  felt  their  strength  as 
never  before.  Pomona  was  making  progress  in 
spite  of  discouragements.  They  were  insistent 
on  securing  a  high  type  of  the  Christian  scholar 
to  meet  the  emergency.  Unwilling  to  rely  on  writ- 
ten testimony  alone,  they  sent  the  secretary  East 
to  make  inquiries  concerning  men  whose  names 
had  been  suggested.  After  a  very  thorough 
search,  occupying  some  months  of  time  and 
mucli  travel,  the  secretary  returned  and  pre- 
s(inted  his  report,  with  much  written  testimony, 
and  George  A.  Gates,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  was  unani- 
mously elected  president  of  the  College.  Having 
MCC(;pted  tlj(^  position,  ho  took  up  the  work  on  the 
first  of  January,  1902.  When  he  came  on  the 
ground  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
'^I'niHtees  and  made  president  of  the  corporation. 
I«y  both  education  and  experience  he  was  adniira- 
\)\y  filled  lor  liis  posilion. 

Dr.  (latcs  was  Ijoim  om  a  farm  atTopshani,  Vor- 

[247  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

mont,  January  24,  1851.  His  father  died  when  he 
was  quite  young;  his  mother  is  a  woman  of  clear, 
well-poised,  active  mind  unusual  for  her  age.  He 
was  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in  the  class 
of  1873,  studied  in  German  universities,  and  was 
graduated  at  Andover  Theological  Seminary  in 
1880.  After  a  pastorate  of  seven  years  in  a  new 
church  field  at  Upper  Montclair,  New  Jersey,  he 
became  president  of  Iowa  College  at  Grinnell, 
Iowa,  in  1887,  where  he  continued  thirteen  years, 
until  it  was  demonstrated  that  Mrs.  Gates  could 
not  live  at  Grinnell  on  account  of  asthma.  He 
then  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Congregational 
Church  at  Cheyenne,  Wyoming,  which  he  resigned 
to  return  to  college  life  at  Pomona.  The  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  on  him  by 
Dartmouth  in  1892,  and  he  received  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Laws  from  the  University  of  Nebraska 
in  1893. 

While  living  at  Montclair  he  married  Miss  Is- 
abel Smith  of  Syracuse,  New  York,  an  attractive, 
cultivated  and  quietly  effective  woman,  who  was 
to  him  in  the  broad  sense  a  helpmeet  in  every  sit- 
uation in  which  he  was  placed.  In  spite  of  her 
own  delicate  health  after  the  fateful  accident 
which  ultimately  caused  his  death,  throughout  his 
long-continued  and  most  trying  illness  her  cour- 
age and  efficiency  were  sufficient  for  every  exi- 
gency. In  Claremont  she  was  a  favorite,  and  a 
strong  factor  in  the  development  of  the  charac- 

[248] 


PRESIDENT  GATES 

ter  of  the  college  women.  Two  children  survive 
President  Gates — Stanley,  a  graduate  of  Dart- 
mouth, and  Donald,  now  in  school  in  Cambridge, 
Massachusetts. 

When  for  the  first  time  President  Gates  stood 
on  the  platform  at  Pomona  before  the  faculty  and 
the  student  body,  he  was  so  much  at  home,  so  fa- 
miliar with  college  life  and  college  problems,  that 
his  eloquent  address  gave  great  satisfaction. 
Evidently  an  educator  was  at  the  helm,  and  the 
ship  was  in  experienced  and  skillful  hands.  The 
members  of  the  faculty  were  pleased  and  filled 
with  new  courage.  From  this  time  on,  they  with 
rare  exception  were  one  with  him.  The  president 
was  with  them  and  one  of  them.  He  was  a  fel- 
low teacher,  and  wished  to  be  a  guide  and  a  leader 
rather  than  a  commander.  The  students  were 
delighted  with  and  proud  of  their  new  president. 
As  they  met  him  personally,  he  was  so  open, 
frank  and  cordial,  so  sympathetic  and  helpful, 
and  so  accessible,  that  they  loved  and  trusted 
him  as  a  friend.  His  admonitions  and  appeals 
were  rarely  in  vain.  The  Friday  morning  talks 
which  had  been  such  a  feature  of  his  work  at 
Grinnc'll  wore  resumed  at  Pomona.  At  first  tlioy 
wuro.  new,  uniciue,  and  well  received.  Ol'teii  lliey 
were  particularly  forceful,  educative  jiikI  uplift- 
ing. TI(!  always  felt  tliat  here  was  his  greatest 
Htrcngih;  li(!re  Ik;  grif)f)(M|,  controlled  nnd  uioMcmI 
th(!  life  of  the  studcsnt  body. 

[249] 


STOKY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

President  Gates'  reputation  as  a  speaker  and 
an  educator  came  before  him.  In  a  surprisingly 
short  time  he  was  in  demand  in  churches,  at  edu- 
cational gatherings,  and  wherever  popular  ad- 
dress was  called  for.  His  ability  was  recognized 
everywhere.  His  intimate  connection  with  Pro- 
fessor Herron  in  the  past  was  held  against  him 
by  a  few  persons ;  but  he  openly  repudiated  much 
of  Professor  Herron 's  teaching  and  practice,  and 
gave  little  new  occasion  for  criticism.  This  slight 
distrust,  however,  was  never  wholly  removed 
from  the  minds  of  those  few. 

It  was  not  long  before  a  great  and  radical 
movement  on  behalf  of  the  College  was  at- 
tempted— namely,  the  payment  by  the  Congrega- 
tional churches  of  Southern  California  of  all 
accumulated  indebtedness,  amounting  at  that  time 
to  sixty-seven  thousand  dollars.  While  the  move- 
ment was  not  inaugurated  by  him,  nor  the  plan 
of  canvass  conceived  or  put  into  operation  pri- 
marily by  him,  nevertheless  the  favorable  impres- 
sion President  Gates  had  made  on  the  student 
body  and  on  the  constituency  of  the  College,  and 
especially  a  powerful  address  the  first  night  of 
his  appearance  before  the  General  Association  of 
Congregational  Churches  at  its  annual  meeting 
at  Ventura,  were  a  background  without  which 
success  would  have  been  impossible.  Before  all 
else  he  secured  the  promise  of  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars from  Dr.  Pearsons,  conditioned  on  the  pay- 

r  250  ] 


PRESIDENT  GATES 

ment  of  the  debt,  which  pledge  was  the  primary 
incentive  to  the  undertaking  of  the  campaign.* 

A  folder  used  in  that  canvass,  begun  nearly  a 
year  after  the  president  came  to  Pomona,  says: 
"The  new  administration  has  given  the  college  a 
rapid  movement  forward.  Its  enrollment  today 
is  two  hundred  and  sixty-eight ;  a  freshman  class 
of  sixty-five :  an  increase  of  sixty  per  cent. ' ' 

In  the  spring  following,  Theodore  Roosevelt, 
President  of  the  United  States,  on  his  visit  to  the 
Pacific  Coast,  influenced  by  a  personal  letter  from 
President  Gates,  stopped  at  Claremont.  The  of- 
ficers of  the  College,  the  student  body,  and  a  large 
concourse  of  people  met  Mr.  Roosevelt  and  his 
party  at  the  station  and  accompanied  them  to  the 
college  grounds.  In  front  of  Science  Hall  a  plat- 
form had  been  built,  around  which  the  students 
had  twined  the  Harvard  and  Pomona  colors  be- 
neath the  United  States  flag.  Seven  or  eight 
thousand  persons  gathered  about  the  student 
l)ody  to  see  and  hear.  The  President  was  greeted 
with  the  Harvard  cheer  and  the  Pomona  cheer, 
and  the  Harvard  song  as  well  as  the  Pomona  song 
was  sung.  His  address  was  one  of  his  best,  and 
was  afterward  printcnl  in  a  folder  and  widely  dis- 
trihut(!d.  A  liv(!-()nk  was  planted  by  him  in  front 
of  Science  Hull. 

The  acfjuisition  of  Blanchard  Park  about  lliis 
time,    and    th(!    consefiuent    consli'uclion    of    the 

•Chapter  XXVII. 

[251 J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Alumni  Athletic  Field,  with  its  bleachers  and 
training  quarters,  were  events  of  no  mean  signif- 
icance. The  connection  of  Mr.  Blanchard's 
name  with  the  Park  came  about  through  Mrs. 
Gates.  Soon  after  the  College  gained  possession 
of  the  land  constituting  the  Park,  while  visiting  at 
Mr.  Blanchard's  home,  she  spoke  of  the  fitness 
of  some  one's  assuming  the  cost  of  the  Park 
and  its  development.  The  idea  appealed  to  Mr. 
Blanchard,  and  later  the  suggestion  was  acted 
upon. 

The  construction  of  the  Athletic  Field  was  a 
natural  necessity  when  the  land  adjacent  to  the 
Gymnasium  came  into  the  hands  of  the  College. 
The  alumni  took  it  up  at  once.  A  notable  achieve- 
ment also  was  the  building  of  the  general  heating 
plant  intended  to  furnish  heat,  and  hot  water  as 
it  might  be  needed,  for  all  the  present  and  fu- 
ture buildings.  It  was  a  costly  work,  invohang 
a  tunnel  and  numerous  appointments;  but  for 
convenience  and  economy  it  was  one  of  the  best 
undertakings  the  College  ever  attempted. 

During  the  earlier  years  of  his  administration, 
President  Gates  was  asked  to  read  a  paper  before 
the  National  Congregational  Council  at  Des 
Moines,  Iowa;  to  preach  the  one-hundredth-anni- 
versary sermon  before  the  American  Board  of 
Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions  at  Williams- 
town,  Massachusetts ;  and  later  to  preach  the  an- 
nual  sermon  before   the    Congregational   Home 

[252] 


PRESIDENT  GATES 

Missionary  Society  at  Portland,  Oregon.  He 
filled  these  appointments  acceptably  and  with 
honor  to  himself  and  to  the  College.  His  ability 
was  thus  widely  recognized,  and  the  College 
brought  into  corresponding  prominence. 

One  great  achievement  of  this  administration 
was  the  securing  of  the  Carnegie  Library,  with 
its  endowment.  It  was  a  long,  slow,  tedious 
process,  but  the  final  result  was  most  satisfying. 
President  Gates'  personal  solicitation  gained  the 
grant  of  forty  thousand  dollars,  instead  of 
twenty-five  thousand  as  at  first  proposed. 

As  in  the  case  of  all  the  advances  so  far,  this 
step  was  forced  upon  the  College.  The  increase 
in  numbers  had  been  so  rapid  that  the  accommo- 
dations were  utterly  inadequate.  Especially  the 
library  facilities  so  essential  to  the  college  of  to- 
day were  entirely  insufficient. 

It  took  time  to  raise  the  library  endowment,*  as 
well  as  to  secure  a  satisfactory  proposition.  Thus 
two  years  or  more  were  spent  in  getting  ready  to 
build.  The  process  of  building  of  reinforced 
concrete  at  that  date  was  attended  with  many 
difficulties,  besides  the  peculiar  complications 
which  arose.  Another  year  and  more  passed  be- 
fore the  building  was  ready  for  occupancy.  From 
tlie  first  the  satisfaction  found  in  its  use  was 
great.  It  wrouglit  a  complete  transformation 
in  the  College.    The  benefits  pertained  to  every 

•ChfipUir  XX VII. 

[253] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

department,  and  so  to  the  whole  student  body,  as 
well  as  to  the  members  of  the  faculty. 

The  assurance  of  a  fine  library  proved  a  tonic 
in  every  direction.  Other  needed  improvements 
seemed  possible.  The  boarding  department  had 
outgrown  Sumner  Hall,  and  the  plan  for  a  new 
commons  with  an  inn  attachment  was  devised  and 
executed.  The  building  of  this  structure,  and  the 
consequent  transformation  and  enlargement  of 
Sumner  Hall,  w^ere  among  the  most  far-reaching 
and  effective  events  of  these  stirring  times.  The 
commons  and  the  inn  contributed  so  much  to  the 
comfort  and  enjoyment  of  the  student  body,  es- 
pecially to  the  young  women,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
added  convenience  which  they  afforded  to  the  cit- 
izens of  Claremont  and  other  friends  of  the  Col- 
lege, including  the  traveling  public,  that  they 
deserve  conspicuous  mention.  For  a  year  or  two 
many  thought  the  College  had  gone  ahead  too  fast 
in  building  the  commons  and  inn ;  but  the  solution 
of  certain  difficulties  has  come  about  since,  and 
the  advantages  prove  to  be  great. 

So,  too,  the  astronomical  department  was  em- 
boldened by  these  other  movements  to  push  ahead 
and  build  and  equip  its  Observatory.  Claremont 
as  well  felt  the  spirit  of  enterprise,  purchased  am- 
ple grounds  and  erected  elegant  high  school 
buildings. 

While  these  movements  were  in  the  air,  the  old 
question  of  changing  the  name  of  the   College 

[254] 


PEESIDENT  GATES 

came  up  and  was  very  thoroughly  discussed, 
eliciting  not  a  little  feeling.  The  discussion  was 
entered  into  by  trustees,  faculty,  students,  alumni 
and  other  interested  parties.  The  "Student 
Life"  during  much  of  the  year  was  full  of  the 
subject  in  its  various  aspects. 

Still  further,  the  question  of  uniting  with  the 
Baptist  and  Christian  churches  arose,  in  an  inci- 
dental way,  and  Pomona  made  overtures  to  each 
of  them.  The  Baptists,  by  a  large  committee  of 
their  strong  men,  met  with  the  college  committee 
once  or  twice,  examined  the  matter  fully,  were 
inclined  to  take  favorable  action,  and  so  reported 
to  their  Annual  Convention.  But  the  Convention 
voted  down  the  proposition,  and  they  have  since 
opened  another  denominational  college  in  South- 
ern California.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Christian 
churches  in  convention  took  favorable  action,  to 
be  tested  five  years.  Their  men  were  appointed 
on  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  there  was  some 
measure  of  cooperation.  At  their  Annual  Con- 
vention in  1912,  however,  there  was  a  disposition, 
and  a  vote  (not  unanimous),  to  organize  a  college 
of  their  own.  What  the  final  outcome  may  be  is 
at  this  date  uncertain. 

Two  or  tlirce  years  after  the  election  of  mem- 
])orH  of  the  Christian  churclies  to  the  Board  of 
TruKte(!H,  wlicn  Occidental  College  was  looking 
for  a  n(!W  liorru!,  Pomona  nia<l(;  overtures  (o  some* 
of  its  olTicers,  after  int(»rviewH  with  iheni,  to  take 

[  255  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

the  question  of  union  under  consideration.  This 
was  done  by  their  Board  of  Trustees,  and  after 
conferring  with  Pomona's  trustees  and  visiting 
the  plant  at  Claremont  they  voted,  before  the  ques- 
tion of  terms  came  up,  not  to  consider  the  matter 
further.  The  Board  of  Trustees  of  Pomona  now 
feel  that  in  a  wholly  unselfish  spirit  they  have 
shown  fully  their  readiness  to  w^aive  sectarianism, 
while  adhering  unflinchingly  to  the  fundamentals 
of  Christianity ;  thus  leaving  to  others  the  respon- 
sibility— if  responsibility  there  be — for  lack  of 
unity  in  the  work  of  Christian  education  in  South- 
ern California. 

The  activity  of  the  College  was  by  no  means 
limited  during  these  years  to  external  matters; 
it  was  manifest  in  internal  affairs.  From  time  to 
time,  in  harmony  with  other  first-class  institu- 
tions, Pomona  had  raised  her  standards  so  that 
the  graduates  continued  to  stand  on  an  equality 
in  graduate  work  with  those  of  the  best  institu- 
tions. In  the  meantime  the  curriculum  was  wid- 
ening as  rapidly  as  was  possible  in  view  of  the 
high  standards.  These  facts  were  appreciated, 
and  the  student  body  grew  more  and  more  rap- 
idly. It  became  absolutely  necessary,  finally,  in 
the  face  of  all  the  obstacles,  to  increase  the  en- 
dowment; and  at  the  same  time  there  was  an 
imperious  demand  for  a  men's  dormitory.  After 
very  careful  consideration  it  was  decided  to  ap- 
peal for  help  to  Mr.  Carnegie  and  to  the  General 

[256] 


PEESIDENT  GATES 

Education  Board.  President  Gates  and  the  sec- 
retary, at  the  request  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
went  to  New  York  to  urge  the  suit.  The  Educa- 
tion Board,  through  the  report  of  its  secretary, 
who  had  never  visited  this  region,  rejected  the 
appeal  on  the  plea  that  there  were  too  many  col- 
leges in  Southern  California.  Mr.  Carnegie,  on 
the  other  hand,  proposed  to  give  Pomona  fifty 
thousand  dollars  provided  she  would  raise  two 
hundred  thousand  dollars  additional.  The  Board 
of  Trustees,  having  accepted  the  proposition,  en- 
tered upon  this  campaign  with  zest. 

Arrangements  were  hastily  made  in  the  early 
summer,  and  a  men's  dormitory  was  built  in  a 
surprisingly  short  time. 

Three  buildings  were  now  completed  and  ready 
for  use — the  Library,  the  Dormitory  and  the  Ob- 
servatory. The  dedication  of  these  three  build- 
ings on  the  same  day,  in  the  fall  of  1908,  gave 
great  satisfaction  to  President  Gates,  as  it  did  to 
all  the  friends  of  Pomona. 

Some  months  before  the  dedication,  after  about 
two-thirds  of  the  Carnegie  fund  had  been  pledged, 
tlie  secretary  resigned  from  the  Campaign  Com- 
mittee on  account  of  illness.  President  Gates 
was  asked  ])y  tli<i  Jioard  of  Trustc^es  to  lake 
charge;  of  IIk;  campaign,  i^'or  a  litlic  \viiil(>  lie 
vvr('stl<'<!  witii  tii(!  problem,  and  tlicn  coniiiniiii- 
cat(Mi  to  tli(!  I^oard  of  Trustees  the  following  let- 
ter of  resignation. 

1  257  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

*'To  my  fellow  members  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  Pomona  College: 

"Colleagues: 

*'For  reasons  that  seem  adequate  to  me  and 
which  I  hope  will  seem  equally  so  to  you,  I  ask 
you  to  accept  my  resignation  of  the  office  of  Pres- 
ident of  Pomona  College  and  of  this  Board. 

'^AVhen,  seven  years  ago,  I  accepted  your  invi- 
tation to  this  work,  you  who  were  then  members 
will  recall  that  I  said  to  you  very  frankly  that  if 
you  were  looking  for  one  whose  chief  work  should 
be  the  raising  of  money,  you  were  making  a  mis- 
take; for  while  several  hundred  thousand  dollars 
came  to  Grinnell  during  the  thirteen  years  I  was 
there,  I  have  had  experience  enough  to  know  that 
I  have  no  special  fitness  for  that  work.  So  that 
if  ever  the  time  should  come  when  that  work 
should  definitely  fall  to  me,  as  a  chief  duty,  it 
would  be  wise  for  you  to  invite  some  other  man. 
That  time  seems  to  have  come. 

''There  are  few  colleges,  if  any,  more  prosper- 
ous or  in  a  more  satisfactory  condition  than  ours, 
— except  in  one  respect  and  that  a  vital  one :  we 
have  not  money  enough  to  carry  on  our  work. 

''One  year  ago  we  set  out  on  a  campaign  to 
raise  $250,000.  Later  Rev.  C.  B.  Sumner  was 
appointed  chairman  of  the  committee  to  pros- 
ecute the  work.  In  less  than  three  months  he 
completely  broke  do^\^l  nervously.  That  nearly 
fatal   illness   was    doubtless    occasioned,    if   not 

[258] 


PEESIDENT  GATES 

caused,  by  the  strain  of  that  work.  He  is  now 
seeking  recovery  by  a  complete  rest  in  the  Ha- 
waiian Islands. 

''This  left  the  responsibility  on  me;  indeed,  it 
was  definitely  placed  there  by  the  action  of  the 
Board.  With  such  loyalty  as  I  can  command,  I 
have  been  endeavoring  to  meet  this  responsibil- 
ity. Many  lines  of  work  are  already  laid  out 
which  promise  some  degree  of  success, — in  time. 
But  the  tenseness  of  our  situation  is  impatient  of 
time. 

**We  have  reached  today  a  stage  in  which  the 
chief  work  required  of  me,  not  only  for  the  next 
few  months  but  for  an  indeterminate  time  to 
come,  must  needs  be  the  grappling  with  this  finan- 
cial situation.  The  raising  of  the  $250,000  Avill 
be  but  the  prelude  to  a  fresh  effort  for  further 
needed  expansion  so  that  even  should  the  present 
campaign  be  crowned  with  success,  I  should  find 
myself  at  the  beginning  of  new  and  still  heavy  re- 
sponsibilities, outside  the  field  of  my  chosen 
work.  Undf3r  the  conditions  I  find  myself  com- 
pelled to  abide  by  my  consistent  declaration  in  the 
matter,  and  request  that  you  relieve  me  of  an  im- 
possible task,  finding  for  it  one  who  may  under- 
take it  with  belter  chances  of  success. 

*'You  will  naturally  inquire  why  I  should  iaka 
such  action  at  this  time,  rather  than  at  the  con- 
clusion of  a  college  year,  or  at  the  expiration  of 
Bome  fixed  term  of  notice.    It  is  because  para- 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

mount  considerations  of  health  leave  no  room  for 
any  other  course. 

'^Rather  than  lay  down  my  office  at  this  serious 
emergency,  and  thus  seem  in  cowardly  fashion  to 
run  away  from  a  hard  task,  something  I  have 
never  done,  I  have  tried  to  hold  myself  to  do  this 
work.  I  have,  however,  made  the  discovery  that 
my  physical  strength  is  unequal  to  it.  To  con- 
tinue this  attempt  would  mean,  I  feel  sure,  to  run 
open-eyed  into  extreme  danger  of  nervous 
wreck.  There  is  no  virtue  in  deliberate  suicide. 
Such  a  course  is  the  pride  of  obstinacy  and  not 
the  wisdom  of  courage. 

''I  have  carried  on  for  seven  years  without  a 
break  the  somewhat  exacting  burdens  of  the 
president  of  the  College.  For  nearly  twenty 
years  I  have  had  no  period  of  rest  long  enough  to 
recruit  fully  from  the  wear  and  tear  of  continu- 
ous activity.  Two  years  ago,  severe  sjmiptoms 
of  brain-fag  and  nervous  exhaustion  asserted 
themselves,  threatening  to  demand  then  and  there 
the  period  of  relief  and  relaxation  that  alone 
could  conserve  for  me  the  remaining  years  of  ef- 
fective service  for  which  I  may  reasonably  hope. 
The  danger  at  that  time  was  averted.  But  within 
the  last  fortnight  sigTis  have  again  appeared  that 
the  long-needed  rest  can  no  longer  be  deferred 
without  a  risk  that  no  man  who  takes  thought  for 
his. family  and  his  future  may  conscientiously  in- 
cur.   It  is  for  this  reason  that  no  choice  is  left 

■[:2ep] 


l*i{Ksii)K.\  r  (Jkohck  AiMii'sirs  (iatks 


PRESIDENT  GATES 

mo  but  to  ask  from  your  Board  the  immediate  re- 
lief that  will  come  from  your  permitting  my  with- 
drawal at  this  time. 

"I  cannot  lay  down  this  office  without  express- 
ing to  my  colleagues  on  the  Board  of  Trustees  my 
appreciation  of  the  loyal  service  you  have  freely 
given  to  Pomona  College. 

' '  Neither  has  our  common  work  for  the  college 
during  these  seven  years  been  fruitless.  The  stu- 
dent register  has  gone  from  245  to  well  over  500, 
doubled ;  the  students  of  collegiate  rank  from  100 
to  315,  trebled;  the  graduating  class  from  11  to 
48,  quadrupled ;  teachers  from  21  to  38 ;  four  im- 
portant buildings  have  been  added;  60  acres 
have  been  added  to  the  12  acres  of  campus  we  had 
in  1901;  endowment  has  increased  from  $117,000 
to  $281,000;  total  assets  from  $238,000  to  nearly 
three-quarters  of  a  million.  Such  a  growth  in  so 
short  a  time  is  firm  ground  for  lasting  satisfac- 
tion. However  modest  the  part  I  may  have  had 
in  the  work,  more  than  $350,000  has  been  given  to 
the  college  in  this  time. 

"Concerning  the  maintenance  and  even  incre- 
ment during  this  same  time,  of  the  college's  high 
ii(;n(]<'\n'\(',  Ktauding,  general  good  name  at  lionie 
and  al)road,  fin<'  and  loyal  spirit  in  student  body 
and  faculty,  good  discipline  and  freedom  from 
Jiny  int(!rna]  trouble, — it  is  more  (ilting  that 
others  shouM  testify. 

"My  jxM'Honal  n^iations  with  liiiH  iioard  iiavo 

[261] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

'  1 
always  been,  without  shadow  of  exception,  most 
pleasant.  I  feel  it  an  honor  to  have  been  associ- 
ated so  long  with  you  in  this  work. 

"In  relinquishing  this  special  responsibility,  I 
abate  in  no  measure  my  confidence  in  the  future 
of  the  college,  nor  my  loyalty  to  it  in  any  way  I 
can  serve  it. 

"With  assurance  of  great  respect, 

George  A.  Gates." 

In  the  light  of  all  the  facts  as  they  appeared 
to  them,  the  Board  of  Trustees  accepted  his 
resignation  about  the  middle  of  the  college  year, 
to  take  effect  after  Commencement,  and  gave  him 
leave  of  absence  until  that  time. 

The  following  resolutions  were  passed  by  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  College: 

"In  accepting  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Gates  as 
president  of  Pomona  College,  at  his  o^vn  earnest 
request,  and  for  reasons  whose  cogency  seems  to 
admit  of  no  discussion,  this  Board  of  Trustees 
desires  to  give  expression  to  something  of  the  re- 
gret with  which  it  takes  this  action,  and  of  its 
appreciation  for  the  retiring  president  of  the 
Board. 

"The  seven  years  of  Dr.  Gates'  relation  with 
this  Board,  through  all  the  perplexing  problems 
that  have  arisen,  have  been  years  of  unbroken 
harmony  and  of  a  mutual  respect  and  regard  that 
have  continued  without  a  flaw  until  today.  We 
desire  not  only  to  put  this  on  record,  but  also  to 

[262] 


PRESIDENT  GATES 

express  our  appreciation  of  the  high  sense  of 
honor  and  fidelity  that  he  has  brought  to  all  his 
work,  of  his  broad  sympathies  with  men,  and  of 
the  simplicity  and  winsomeness  of  his  Christian 
character. 

''We  recognize  also  that  under  his  leadership 
the  college  has  made  remarkable  growth,  more 
than  doubling  its  membership  and  material 
equipment.  But  most  of  all  would  we  give  grate- 
ful expression  to  our  sense  of  the  service  that  he 
has  rendered  to  the  College  and  to  the  broader  in- 
terests of  Christian  education,  in  his  personal  in- 
fluence upon  the  young  men  and  women  of  the 
institution.  The  moral  earnestness  and  high  ideal- 
ism of  the  student  body  at  Pomona  is  so  marked 
as  to  impress  the  most  casual  observer.  The  at- 
mosphere is  not  only  unmistakably  Christian,  but 
charged  with  a  spirit  of  social  service  and  unself- 
ish living.  Many  influences  have  contributed  to 
maintain  and  strengthen  this  condition  through 
the  years,  but  chief  among  them  we  gratefully 
recognize  the  personal  character  of  the  retiring 
president.  This  inspiration  of  many  student 
lives,  even  more  than  added  buildings  and  cam- 
pus, will  remain  as  his  enduring  contribution  to 
the  life  of  Pomona  College. 
"Signed  by 

"The  Board  of  Trustkes. " 

The  college  faculty  also  passed  resolutions,  as 
follows : 

[2G3] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

"In  view  of  the  resignation  of  President  George 
A.  Gates,  we  the  Faculty  of  Pomona  College 
heartily  unite  in  the  following  resolutions. 

**L  The  feeling  of  personal  loss  so  difficult  to 
express  yet  so  keenly  felt  at  this  time  bears  the 
surest  tribute  to  our  cordial  relations  with  Dr. 
Gates,  the  man,  the  friend  and  the  president. 
The  past  seven  years  have  been  marked  by  such 
harmony  as  could  have  been  hoped  for  with 
few  and  can  be  looked  back  upon  with  true 
gratitude. 

'*II.  The  loss  to  the  college,  due  to  Dr.  Gates' 
personality,  his  relations  with  students  and  fac- 
ulty, his  reputation  as  one  of  the  leading  men  in 
Southern  California,  and  his  national  repute  as 
an  educator,  is  one  which  will  not  soon  be  made 
good. 

*'III.  Too  much  can  hardly  be  said  in  commen- 
dation of  his  own  ideals  regarding  administrative 
relations  to  faculty  and  students  and  of  his  con- 
stant desire  to  cooperate  in  the  fuller  develop- 
ment of  the  ideals  which  he  found  here. 

''IV.  As  a  man  he  has  ever  commanded  our 
highest  esteem  through  his  warm-hearted  rela- 
tions with  us  and  his  successful  effort  through  life 
and  influence  to  make  general  among  us  a  clearer 
recognition  of  the  individual's  obligations  to 
society. 

''V.  We  feel  keen  sjTnpathy  with  Dr.  Gates  in 
his  present  state  of  health  which  is  responsible 

[264] 


PRESIDENT  GATES 

for  his  resignation  at  this  time,  and  express  the 
sincerest  hope  that  the  contemplated  rest  and 
change  may  result  in  such  recovery  as  will  give 
to  him  many  added  years  of  active  helpful  work 
for  the  objects  so  dear  to  his  heart:  social  regen- 
eration, educational  advancement  and  the  spread 
of  Christ's  kingdom. 

"VI.  These  resolutions  shall  be  spread  upon 
the  minutes  of  the  faculty  and  a  copy  duly  signed 
by  the  members  of  the  faculty  shall  be  presented 
to  him." 

President  Gates  sailed  immediately  for  Aus- 
tralia and  New  Zealand.  The  ocean  voyage 
greatly  benefited  him,  as  was  apparent  in  his  final 
baccalaureate  sermon  and  in  an  address  before 
the  Civics  Club  of  Los  Angeles.  Nevertheless 
the  question  could  not  but  arise,  as  to  whether  if 
he  should  resume  the  burdens  of  the  College,  the 
relief  would  prove  more  than  temporary. 

President  Gates'  administration,  judged  by  its 
fruits,  was  manifestly  a  successful  one,  as  seen  in 
the  data  given  in  his  letter  of  resignation.  Some 
said  the  College  grew  with  Southern  California. 
In  fact  it  was  said  President  Gates  was  not  an 
aggr(»SHiv(»  administrator;  ho  never  initiated, 
n(!V(*r  !(?(]  in  financial  incasiircH,  and  very  rarely 
originat(;(l  either  ext(!rnal  or  internal  iniprove- 
nicnts.  ir  this  be  tru(?,  and  tiicre  is  a  measure 
of  trntli  in  it,  there  nuist  hav(»  been  strong  forces 
in  the  adniinistration  to  initiate  uml  to  lead,  and 

[2G5J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

he  must  have  been  quick  to  see,  cooperate  and  in 
some  sort  guide  them  to  effective  ends.  This  is 
leadership  of  high  quality.  No  man  can  be  fore- 
most in  everything.  The  wise  administrator 
appoints  each  man  to  the  work  he  can  best  accom- 
plish. Keeping  the  forces  working  together  in 
harmony  and  utilizing  the  best  in  every  one  for 
the  supreme  ends — that  is  success.  In  this  Presi- 
dent Gates  was  strong.  He  was  the  leader  needed 
at  the  time. 

As  a  man  and  as  president  he  was  beloved  by 
the  students  and  the  faculty.  Personally  nearly 
every  one  liked  him.  His  reputation  and  stand- 
ing with  the  country  at  large  did  much  to  bring 
the  College  into  wide  and  favorable  repute.  Few 
men  in  Southern  California  have  more  warm 
friends  than  President  Gates,  and  those  friends, 
too,  are  among  Pomona's  best  friends.  Indeed 
he  was  a  rare  man  in  his  friendships.  The  sin- 
cerity and  depth  of  the  friendship  between  him 
and  his  former  students  was  of  the  Dr.  Arnold 
type.  His  relations  with  the  strong  friends  of 
earlier  years,  maintained  through  long  intervals 
of  separation,  were  intimate  and  beautiful.  Then 
too,  his  sense  of  obligation  to  his  co-workers,  and 
even  to  those  in  competition  with  him,  was  ut- 
terly free  from  the  taint  of  self-interest.  And 
this  was  only  one  phase  of  his  greatness  in  char- 
acter. In  simple-hearted,  straightforward  integ- 
rity, in  clear,  pure,  noble  thought  and  feeling,  in 

[266] 


PRESIDENT  GATES 

genuine,  broad,  human  sympathy,  he  had  few 
superiors. 

President  Gates  was  an  inspirational  speaker. 
He  seldom  failed  to  hold  his  audience  perfectly, 
and  often  was  exceedingly  impressive.  On  very 
rare  occasions,  whether  from  lack  of  preparation, 
immediate  or  more  remote,  or  from  physical 
causes,  inspiration  failed  him,  and  the  impression 
was  far  less  favorable.  To  those  who  heard  him 
only  at  his  best  he  was  a  really  great  speaker. 
But,  as  always  happens  in  such  cases,  in  the  esti- 
mation of  a  few  who  had  been  so  unfortunate  as 
to  hear  him  at  his  worst,  no  number  of  effective 
addresses  could  atone  for  one  which  lacked  the 
wonted  illumination.  While  from  the  first  there 
was  occasionally  a  marked  difference  in  the  effec- 
tiveness of  his  extemporaneous  addresses.  Pres- 
ident Gates  for  a  number  of  years  rarely  failed  to 
interest  and  inspire  his  audiences.  Often  he  was 
very  impressive — masterly.  From  time  to  time 
during  the  last  two  or  three  years,  however,  the 
difference  was  so  great  and  under  such  circum- 
stances as  to  indicate  a  physical  cause.  "The 
brain-fag  and  nervous  exhaustion"  to  which  he 
refers  in  his  letter  of  resignation  was  no  doubt 
tliis  cause.  It  certainly  Imrt  his  rei)utation  and 
weakened  his  influence  in  these  years. 

Almost  immediately  after  leaving  Pomona, 
l*resi(l(!iit  (Jat(!H  was  elected  to  the  presidency  of 
Fisk  University  for  colored  people,  at  Nashville, 

[2G7] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Tennessee,  and  entered  upon  that  philanthropic 
work  with  great  satisfaction  and  enthusiasm. 
His  injury  in  a  railroad  accident  in  1911,  and  his 
subsequent  resignation  and  death,  caused  great 
sadness  to  a  host  of  friends. 


[268] 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

DOEMITORIES 

For  several  years  the  wisdom  of  supplying  dor- 
mitories for  students  at  Pomona,  as  in  the  case 
of  many  another  like  institution,  was  a  mooted 
question.  Some  of  those  interested  in  the  mat- 
ter had  very  delightful  associations  with  dormi- 
tory life;  others  were  prejudiced  against  it.  It 
was  a  matter  of  history  that  dormitories  for  men, 
in  certain  places  and  at  certain  periods,  had  been 
prolific  of  trouble.  Some,  therefore,  would  have 
discarded  them  altogether.  ''Don't  get  too  many 
boys  together,"  it  was  urged;  ''the  result  is  sure 
to  be  bad." 

A  more  careful  and  thorough  study  of  the 
question,  however,  from  the  modern  standpoint, 
loads  one  to  the  conclusion  that  while  there  are 
dangers  there  are  also  compensatory  advantages, 
and  many  of  the  dangers  may  be  guarded  against, 
l(!aving  on  the  whole  a  preponderance  in  favor  of 
the  dormitory  system.  By  a  careful  comparison 
in  the  same  institution  it  is  found  that  students 
housed  in  dormitories  on  the  campus  do  better 
work  in  their  Htudies,  ai'(!  less  exposed  to  tempta- 
tions and  get  more  of  the  best  in  college  life  than 
those  housed  off  the  campus,  whether  grouped  in 

[209] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

rooming  houses  or  in  private  homes.  This  result 
holds  good  even  in  the  case  of  students  living  in 
their  own  homes.  So  strong  and  widespread  has 
this  conviction  become  among  educators  that 
many  institutions  which  heretofore  have  been 
without  dormitories,  and  some  w^hich  have  had  in- 
suflficient  accommodations,  are  seeking  urgently 
to  provide  quarters  on  the  campus  for  all  the  stu- 
dents. A  Yale  man  whose  father,  during  the 
son's  college  course,  was  mayor  of  the  city  of 
New  Haven,  lived  at  home  throughout  his  college 
years,  to  his  lifelong  regret.  He  subsequently 
built  an  elegant  dormitory  on  the  Yale  campus  in 
honor  of  his  father.  While  his  own  son  was  in 
college,  he  preferred  that  he  live  in  a  dormitory 
rather  than  forego  the  advantages  of  which  he 
felt  that  he  himself  had  been  deprived. 

President  Hadley  said,  about  the  time  of  his 
election  to  the  presidency  of  Yale,  that  a  student 
gains  as  much  from  the  college  life  as  from  his 
books.  Many  an  alumnus  has  endorsed  that 
judgment.  If  this  is  true,  certainly  the  student 
should  be  given  facilities  for  getting  the  most  and 
the  best  out  of  college  life.  This  is  possible  only 
by  living  during  the  student  days  in  the  college 
atmosphere. 

Another  reason  for  the  dormitory  life  is  its 
value  in  teaching  self-reliance.  Boys  and  girls 
must  some  time  learn  to  stand  and  act  for  them- 
selves, and  to  hear  responsibilities.    This  re^ 

[270] 


"     '         DORMITORIES 

quires  experience,  which  can  be  acquired  only  by 
practice.  What  better  time  and  place  for  the 
first  lessons  outside  the  home  than  between  eight- 
een and  twenty-two  years  of  age  in  a  carefully 
ordered  dormitory  life?  This  is  the  age  when 
the  instincts  demand  self-assertion,  and  repres- 
sion is  likely  to  do  permanent  harm. 

Pomona  at  first  had  but  one  building  for  all 
phases  of  college  work  and  life,  and  for  every  one 
connected  with  the  institution.  There  were  no 
other  homes  or  buildings  in  the  vicinity  that  were 
available  for  students  or  teachers.  Claremont 
was  built  from  the  beginning  about  the  College. 
When  after  two  years  the  men — who  were  the 
most  numerous — were  crowded  out  of  the  only 
college  hall,  a  few  homes  having  been  built  where 
some  could  be  cared  for,  and  others  having  built 
humble  homes  for  themselves,  it  was  thought  by 
not  a  few  to  be  an  advantage  to  have  them  scat- 
tered in  separate  abodes.  For  a  year  or  more 
after  the  occupancy  of  the  men's  dormitory, 
doubt  was  expressed  occasionally  of  its  utility. 
But  now  it  would  be  rare  to  find  one  who,  on  be- 
half of  the  students,  would  not  hail  with  gladness 
the  announcement  of  room  for  every  student  on 
the  campus. 

A  Pomona  city  paper,  at  the  time  wIkmi  Clare- 
mont llot(!l  was  transferred  to  the  C^ollege  and 
became  Claremont  Hall,  said  of  it,  in  terms  not  to 

[271] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

be  taken  too  seriously :  * '  The  building  cost  over 
twenty-two  thousand  dollars,  and  is  handsomely 
and  strongly  built  and  elegantly  finished  on  the 
interior.  The  main  apartments  on  the  first  floor 
are  unusually  handsome,  and  could  not  be  better 
adapted  for  class  and  assembl}^  rooms  and  for  the 
library.  The  sleeping  and  study  rooms  on  the 
second  and  third  floors  are  by  all  means  the  best 
in  any  school  or  college  in  the  state.  Some  of  the 
rooms  could  scarcely  be  more  delightfully  and  at- 
tractively finished  for  students'  purposes.  They 
were  designed  for  the  use  of  wealthy  eastern  tour- 
ists in  Southern  California,  and  money  and  labor 
were  not  spared  in  making  them  delightful.  The 
halls  of  the  building  are  wide  and  lofty.  The 
floors  and  wainscoting  are  of  hard  and  polished 
wood,  and  the  windows  throughout  the  large 
structure  are  of  French  plate  glass,  surmounted 
by  pretty  cathedral  or  stained  glass.  A  wide 
piazza  runs  about  the  front  of  the  building  and 
adds  to  the  architectural  attractiveness  of  the 
edifice,  as  well  as  to  the  comfort  of  the  dwellers 
within  the  building." 

The  history  of  this  hall  is  diverse  and  unique. 
Although  built  for  a  hotel,  it  was  never  used  be- 
fore it  came  into  the  hands  of  the  College.  It 
was  a  perfectly  new,  unfurnished  building.  First 
of  all  it  must  be  furnished;  the  boarding  depart- 
ment, thirty-two  study  and  sleeping  rooms,  reci- 
tation rooms,  chapel,   reception   room,  together 

[272] 


DORMITORIES 

with  a  library,  the  books  for  which  were  still  to 
be  obtained,  were  all  to  be  provided  for  here. 
The  College  had  no  money,  and  no  established 
credit.  The  trustees  were  unwilling  to  mortgage 
its  property.  All  that  could  be  collected  of  the 
subscriptions  with  which  the  College  started  had 
gone  into  the  foundations  and  materials  for  the 
building  of  Central  Hall.  It  was  a  time  when  it 
was  extremely  difficult  to  get  money. 

Furniture  must  be  obtained  without  money  in 
order  that  the  hall  might  be  made  ready  for  oc- 
cupancy at  the  beginning  of  the  second  term  of 
college  work.  Friends  went  from  house  to  house, 
and  got  a  bedstead  here  and  a  bureau  there, 
chairs  or  table  or  bedding  elsewhere.  Then  the 
appeal  was  made  far  and  wide  to  churches  and 
young  people's  societies  to  furnish  rooms,  with 
the  privilege  of  naming  them.  Delegations  came 
to  see  the  hall  and  to  take  measurements. 
Quickly,  as  by  magic,  the  empty  building  became 
habitable,  and  some  of  the  rooms  attractive,  while 
all,  as  they  were  needed,  were  made  neat  and 
comfortable.  Rooms  were  furnished  by  churches 
or  indivi(hials  as  far  away  as  the  eastern  sea- 
board. For  many  years  these  various  rooms  re- 
tained the  names  of  those  who  furnished  them, 
and  many  pleasant  letters  were  interchanged  and 
not  a  few  interest(!(l  visitors  wen?  entertained 
through  aecjuaiiitanccH  tlius  rornied. 

At  first  not  only  students  and  teachers,  but  par- 

[273] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ents,  and  sometimes  tourists,  boarded  and  roomed 
at  the  College.  A  man  who  had  come  to  Clare- 
mont  for  his  health,  and  with  his  family  had  been 
received  into  the  college  household,  grew  too  ill 
to  be  moved,  and  died  in  the  hall.  For  seventeen 
years  table  boarders  were  provided  for,  at  tables 
"with  the  students,  or,  later,  at  separate  tables, 
and  finally  in  a  room  by  themselves.  The  Col- 
lege boarding  department  was  a  convenience  to 
the  families  living  in  Claremont,  to  friends  of  the 
College,  and  to  travelers.  Here  town  and  go"\vn 
came  in  touch  and  were  in  sympathy.  Of  this  re- 
lation Claremont  Inn  was  a  natural,  almost  inev- 
itable, result. 

Many  and  varied  are  the  experiences  connected 
with  this  hall.  Nearly  every  room  has  sharply 
defined  associations.  Here  on  the  second  floor  at 
the  north  end  the  kerosene  lamp  was  broken,  and 
with  quick  wit  a  young  woman  secured  the  fire 
extinguisher,  while  with  swift  gallantry  the 
young  man  who  saw  the  flame  from  the  campus 
quenched  the  rapidly  devouring  blaze.  In  more 
than  one  room,  while  the  little  wood  stoves  were 
retained,  a  less  spectacular,  if  hardly  less  danger- 
ous blaze  was  smothered.  Many  remember  the 
outcry  and  the  odor  of  burning  bedding  which 
aroused  the  house  one  night,  after  the  introduc- 
tion of  electricity,  the  explanation  being  that  one 
of  the  students  had  gone  to  sleep  with  a  lighted 
bulb  at  her  feet.    Nor  have  all  forgotten  the  per- 

[274] 


DORMITORIES 

ils  attending  •  the  careless  handling  of  curling 
irons. 

One  of  the  early  experiences  in  the  chemical 
department  of  this  hall  was  the  spilling  of  phos- 
phorus, which  ran  into  the  wide  cracks  and  long 
withstood  every  attempt  to  extinguish  a  creep- 
ing blaze.  Some  of  the  transoms  over  the  doors 
are  said  to  invoke  memories  of  struggling  and 
wriggling  humanity  in  the  effort  to  circumvent 
locks  and  keys.  There  are  untraced  rumors 
among  the  alumni  that  these  memories  are  not 
confined  to  the  young  men. 

The  large  reception  room  at  the  south  end  of 
the  lower  floor,  together  with  the  adjoining  room 
connected  with  it  by  double  doors,  for  five  years 
used  as  a  chapel,  have  many  associations  both 
grave  and  gay.  Inspiring  addresses,  heart- 
searching  talks,  '^solemncholies,"  pleasant  song 
services,  were  interspersed  with  plenty  of  fun  and 
frolic.  The  parlor,  and  the  porch,  the  place  of  in- 
troduction, of  so  many  pleasant  interviews,  it  may 
1)0  of  romance;  the  little  alcove  where  the  library 
was  at  first  kept,  where  some  have  acquired  their 
taste  for  Ydovaiurci — could  these  walls  but  speak, 
how  many  entertaining  stories  they  might  tell! 

It  may  not  be  within  the  province  of  the  histo- 
rian to  know  all  the  secrets  of  the  tower.  Surely, 
liowover,  every  one  once  a  student,  and  every  vis- 
itor, has  some  recollection  of  tlie  view  from  its 
heig]it.     Many  will  recall  the  widespread  terror 

[275] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

of  the  night  when  the  north  wind  rocked  the 
tower,  and  the  one  sleeping  beneath  it  was  awak- 
ened by  floods  of  water  falling  on  her  bed,  fol- 
lowed quickly  by  yards  of  plaster  loosened  from 
the  ceiling. 

Perhaps  no  room  is  so  rich  in  associations,  or 
at  least  in  memories  of  the  earlier  years,  as  the 
dining-room.  Sumner  Hall  dining-room,  aside 
from  the  intimate  relations  of  the  daily  meals, 
has  many  other  associations.  It  was  the  only 
assembly  hall  for  five  years.  For  fifteen  months 
it  was  the  church  home.  Here  were  the  prize  de- 
bates, lectures,  concerts,  anniversary  exercises. 
Many  remember  the  first  prize  debate,  won  by  a 
young  woman  and  thus  justifying  coeducation, 
so  new  to  most  of  those  connected  with  the  Col- 
lege. Equally  well  is  remembered  that  fine 
scholarly  address  of  Dr.  Currier  at  the  first  anni- 
versary exercises.  Also  a  later  one,  strong  and 
effective,  by  Dr.  Stephen  Norton. 

Informal  as  the  room  might  seem  for  an  assem- 
bly, it  was  generally  quite  dignified  when  fitted 
up  and  decorated  for  the  occasion.  Sometimes, 
however,  the  pressure  of  other  duties  prevented 
the  removal  of  all  the  appurtenances  of  the  board- 
ing department ;  the  pop  of  the  yeast  cork  in  the 
midst  of  the  sermon  was  once  too  much  for  the 
sobriety  of  the  audience,  and  somewhat  jostled 
the  eloquence  of  the  preacher.  The  mice  at 
times,  and  occasionally  the  cat  from  the  kitchen, 

[276] 


DORMITORIES 

attracted  undue  attention.  But  these  were  sim- 
ply the  domestic  incidents  that  give  a  flavor  to  the 
memories;  they  do  not  affect  the  everlasting 
realities.  They,  however,  helped  at  the  time  to 
bring  together  teacher  and  taught,  matron  and 
maid,  housekeeper  and  cook,  citizen  and  student. 
There  were  no  separate  interests  in  those  days,  no 
class  distinctions.  The  experience  was  a  molding 
power  at  that  stage  of  the  college  life. 

When  the  boys  were  no  longer  allowed  to  room 
in  the  hall,  and  a  separate  entrance  was  made  for 
them,  by  which  to  enter  the  dining-room,  a 
marked  change  was  observed.  But  this  bore  no 
comparison  to  the  change  that  came  with  the 
opening  of  Holmes  Hall,  when  church,  chapel, 
recitation  room,  library,  reading-room,  society, 
office, — everything  of  the  sort  was  removed  from 
Sumner  Hall.  Childhood  had  now  passed,  and 
Pomona  College  was  put  on  maturer  ways.  The 
boarding-school  era  had  given  place  to  the  Col- 
lege. The  important  fact  was  felt  by  every  one, 
and  written  large  on  every  occasion.  One  or  two 
partitions  and  a  little  paint  and  paper,  and  lo! 
only  a  women's  dormitory  with  boarding-house 
attaclirncnt. 

Jt  was  about  this  time  that  the  name  "Chire- 
mont  Hall,"  adopted  spontaneously  when  the  Col- 
leg(;  moved  into  th(»  al)andone(l  hotel,  was  changed 
by  t}i(!  Rourd  of  Trustees,  at  the  request  of  one 
of  tlu;  donors,  to  "Mary  L.  Sumner  Hall,"  in  rec- 

[277] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ognition  of  Mrs.  C.  B.  Sumner's  interest  in  and 
devotion  to  the  College. 

It  was  passing  strange  how  quickly  the  young 
women  found  a  use  for  every  room,  and  no  hint 
was  left  of  the  pedagogues'  occupancy.  For  four- 
teen years  matters  moved  along  in  the  same 
grooves,  without  visible  sign  of  future  change. 
But  the  leaven  of  progress  was  working  all  the 
time  in  some  minds.  Electricity  had  been  intro- 
duced for  lighting  purposes,  hot  water  supplied 
for  the  bathrooms,  and  a  more  satisfactory  sys- 
tem of  heating  the  rooms  inaugurated  by  means 
of  the  central  heating  plant.  Through  the  years, 
discussion  after  discussion,  first  of  one  plan  of 
betterment,  then  of  another,  took  place  among  in- 
terested parties,  until  at  length  a  workable  plan 
was  devised,  and  Claremont  Inn  was  inviting  the 
boarding  department  to  remove  from  Sumner 
Hall  and  leave  it  exclusively  a  dormitory. 

The  insistent  demand  for  rooms  had  much  to 
do  with  the  character  of  the  change  made  in  the 
hall  when  the  boarding  department  took  its  de- 
parture. The  cutting  off  and  wrecking  of  the  old 
kitchen  with  its  apurtenances  was  urged  strongly. 
But  out  of  the  multiplicity  of  suggestions  came 
one  which  finally  worked  out  in  the  plan  adopted. 
The  possibilities  in  the  third  story  had  been  con- 
sidered often  in  past  days,  but  too  many  stairs 
and  too  much  danger  from  fire  always  had  proved 
final  objections.     At  length  the  plan  of  making 

[278] 


DORMITORIES 

those  third-story  rooms  the  most  attractive  in  the 
hall  was  thought  to  answer  the  objection  to  the 
stairs,  and  the  back  stairs,  with  the  several  fire 
escapes,  satisfied  the  further  opposition.  The  ul- 
timate result  elicited  countless  congratulations. 
Before  the  added  rooms,  just  about  equal  in  num- 
ber to  the  original  dormitory  rooms,  could  be  fur- 
nished, every  one  of  them  had  been  engaged,  and 
from  that  day  to  this  a  waiting  list  has  rarely 
failed  of  those  eager  to  secure  dormitory  rooms. 
The  beautiful  recreation  room,  entirely  removed 
from  the  reception  room,  with  its  broad  fireplace, 
its  plentiful  light  and  air,  is  well-nigh  a  model  of 
its  kind  and  a  happy  transformation  of  the  old 
kitchen  addition. 

Not  until  the  fall  of  1908  did  the  young  men 
of  Pomona  have  dormitory  accommodations,  ex- 
cept in  a  part  of  Claremont  Hall  during  the  first 
two  years  that  the  College  occupied  it.  Dr.  D.  K. 
Pearsons  spent  the  winter  of  1907-08  and  a  part 
of  1908-09  in  Claremont,  and  studied  the  College 
with  an  interest  and  understanding  gained  by 
years  of  experience  in  such  study.  He  was  im- 
pressed deeply  with  the  immediate  need  of  a 
nuin's  dormitory.  Already  he  Iiad  pledged 
twenty-five  thousand  dollars  toward  the  Carnegie 
fund  on  condition  that  the  whole  fund  should  be 
raised.  Anxious  to  hav(!  th(»  dornjitory  ready  for 
the  next  year,  he  proposed  that  u  hall  should  bo 

[  279  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

built  at  once,  using  the  amount  he  had  pledged, 
without  waiting  till  the  whole  fund  was  raised. 
Mr.  Blanchard  seconded  the  movement  and 
turned  in  his  pledge,  and  Messrs.  Marston  and 
Chapman  applied  a  part  of  their  pledges.  Thus 
the  cost  was  practically  covered. 

Messrs.  Myron  Hunt  and  Elmer  Grey,  the  col- 
lege architects,  prepared  the  plans,  the  Rich- 
ards-Neustadt  Construction  Company  took  the 
contract,  and  in  about  ninety  days  a  really  fine, 
thoroughly  fireproof,  reinforced  concrete  dormi- 
tory, with  red-clay  tiled  roof,  was  ready  for  dedi- 
cation and  use.  At  Dr.  Pearsons'  suggestion  it 
was  named  *'A.  K.  Smiley  Hall." 

The  building  is  a  model  in  its  plain,  solid,  clas- 
sic architecture,  and  in  its  convenience  and  its 
adaptation  to  its  uses.  One  feature  of  the  hall 
is  a  well-lighted  recreation  and  gathering  room, 
with  a  broad  fireplace  and  other  comforts.  Dr. 
Pearsons  before  he  went  East  protested  against 
this  room  as  needless.  When  he  returned  in  the 
fall,  saw  the  room  with  its  piano  and  proper  fur- 
nishings, provided  by  the  boys,  and  saw  how  they 
used  it,  he  changed  his  mind  with  characteristic 
promptness,  and  declared  it  the  best  part  of  the 
hall. 

The  main  building  is  divided  into  three  sec- 
tions, with  partitions  from  top  to  bottom.  As  a 
rule  the  rooms  are  in  suites,  a  study  room  with 
two  bedrooms.     There   are   some   single  rooms. 

[280] 


DORMITORIES 

The  outside  walls  are  built  of  hollow  tiles,  and  no 
dampness  or  discoloration  is  possible.  The  north 
section  was  used  for  two  years  by  the  music  de- 
partment, but  the  demand  for  rooms  was  so  great 
that  temporary  provision  was  made  elsewhere  for 
the  music,  and  the  hall  was  quickly  filled.  There 
has  been  since  a  constant  waiting  list  of  students, 
eager  to  secure  any  room  that  might  be  vacated. 
The  hall  has  become  the  center  of  college  life  for 
the  young  men.  The  adjustments  are  not  all  sat- 
isfactory, but  it  is  a  long  step  in  advance  and 
gives  clear  and  definite  suggestions  of  the  ideal 
home  for  college  men. 


[  281  j 


CHAPTER  XIX 

THE  LIBRARY  AND  THE  MUSEUM 

The  practical  use  of  library  and  museum  has 
increased  wonderfully  within  fifty  years.  During 
the  last  twenty-five  years  the  change  has  been 
marked.  Instead  of  being  accessories,  chiefly  for 
the  use  of  teachers  and  graduate  students,  and 
occasionally  an  exceptional  undergraduate,  they 
have  come  to  be  a  part  of  the  equipment  for  the 
daily  work  of  nearly  all  students.  The  distinction 
should  be  made  that  whereas  the  museum  has  be- 
come indispensable  to  a  limited  number  of  de- 
partments, the  library  has  become  indispensable 
to  every  department.  One  of  the  first  questions 
a  general  educator  asks  of  an  institution  is  with 
regard  to  the  size  and  character  of  its  library. 
The  man  of  science  inquires  equally  of  its 
museum. 

Fifty  years  ago  accommodations  for  reading 
and  writing  were  wanting  entirely,  or  at  least 
were  restricted,  in  nearly  every  public  or  semi- 
private  library.  Now  city  and  town  and  institu- 
tional library  must  have  ample  provision  for 
both.  It  is  interesting  to  note  how  many  avail 
themselves  of  these  provisions  during  library 
hours.  The  use  of  the  museum  is  perhaps  not  so 
conspicuous  as  the  use  of  the  library.    One  reason 

[282] 


LIBRARY  AND  MUSEUM 

for  this  is  that  public  museums  are  less  numerous. 
But  if  one  enters  any  scientific  department  in  an 
educational  institution  he  will  see  abundant  proof 
of  the  utility  of  the  museum.  While  Pomona's 
library  and  museum  have  been  very  intimately 
connected  historically,  nevertheless  each  one  is 
coming  rapidly  to  have  a  distinct  and  important 
place  of  its  own. 

Rev.  Edwin  Sidney  Williams  claims  to  have 
given  the  first  book  to  the  library,  before  the  Col- 
lege was  open  to  students.  It  was  not  the  last 
book  received  from  this  old  friend,  nor  has  he  con- 
fined himself  to  single  volumes.  On  the  contrary, 
he  has  contributed  works  of  such  magnitude,  and 
such  utility  on  this  coast,  as  Hubert  Howe  Ban- 
croft's Histories. 

Many  choice  books  came  to  the  library  in  the 
early  days  from  a  great  number  of  friends.  It 
was  a  surprise  to  see  how  quickly  the  alcove  off 
the  hall  in  the  first  college  home  assumed  the  ap- 
pearance and  something  of  the  reality  of  a  li- 
brary. Miss  Spalding  gathered  two  hundred 
books  from  Carleton  friends  to  bring  with  her  to 
T*oiMona.  Naturally  it  fell  to  her  lot  to  act  as 
librarian.  H(!r  ('iitliusiasm  was  contagious.  The 
"Pomona  Studf3nt"  became  insistent,  every  num- 
ber chronicling  some  special  need  or  some  now 
gift,  or  both.  Self-imposod  fines  among  stn(l(Mits 
and  faculty  wen;  produclivc 

L  lis;}  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Faculty  and  student  body  individually  and  col- 
lectively made  their  requests  for  books.  The  first 
appeal  of  the  librarian  is  a  specimen:  ''Dear 
Friend:  We  are  hoping  to  add  to  our  library  as 
soon  as  possible  a  large  number  of  valuable  books, 
and  for  the  purpose  of  letting  our  friends  know 
exactly  what  we  need,  we  invite  their  attention  to 
the  list  printed  within.  If  you  can  spare  any  of 
these  books  from  your  library,  please  send  them, 
and  we  will  gladly  pay  the  freight.  If  you  are 
willing  to  pay  for  one  or  more  volumes,  please 
send  us  the  price  named,  and  we  will  place  in  the 
library  the  books  selected,  indicating  the  donor 
who  presented  them. ' ' 

As  the  result  of  such  appeals,  private  libraries 
came  from  the  East  and  from  the  West,  together 
with  smaller  personal  gifts  of  books  and  money 
for  the  purchase  of  books.  Collections  of  individ- 
uals, societies  connected  with  churches  and  socie- 
ties without  church  connections,  now  from 
Los  Angeles,  Pomona,  Riverside  or  San  Diego, 
now  from  towns  in  the  Middle  West,  and  again 
from  New  England,  all  helped  to  swell  the  li- 
brary. Such  lovers  of  books  as  Rev.  E.  E.  P.  Ab- 
bot, who  is  said  to  have  the  finest  private  library 
in  Southern  California;  Dr.  Frary;  Rev.  Edward 
Hildreth ;  Mr.  S.  H.  Herrick ;  members  of  the  fac- 
ulty and  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  made  large 
contributions.  Professor  Learned  of  Doshisha 
College,  Kyoto,  Japan,  established  a  missionary 

[284] 


LIBRAEY  AND  MUSEUM 

library.  In  1891  the  Congregational  Club  of 
Southern  California  donated  one  hundred  vol- 
umes. Thus  a  change  became  necessary  sooner 
than  any  one  had  expected,  and  the  library  was 
moved  into  larger  quarters.  A  Library  Union 
was  formed  subsequently,  and  more  organized 
work  was  done  in  filling  the  book-shelves. 

In  the  building  of  Holmes  Hall,  one  room  was 
encased  in  brick  to  give  to  the  library  protection 
from  fire.  This  room  afforded  fair  conveniences 
for  library  purposes  during  several  years,  and  a 
well-stocked  reading-room  in  conjunction  was  an 
added  advantage.  The  reading-room  and  library 
fees  were  helpful.  The  Claremont  Book  Club 
soon  began  to  give  from  twenty  to  thirty  volumes 
a  year,  which  it  has  continued  to  do  to  the  present 
time. 

In  a  communication  to  the  ** Student  Life"  in 
1895,  Professor  Spalding  writes:  **We  certainly 
do  feel  greatly  hampered  at  times  by  our  narrow 
bounds.  Yet  certain  existing  conditions  enable  us 
to  gain  from  our  limited  collection  quite  the  aver- 
age intelligence  upon  most  subjects  that  present 
themselves  for  our  study.  We  have  a  small  pro- 
portion of  waste  material.  Our  medieval  theol- 
ogy is  liappily  mucii  ligliter  than  is  usual  in 
similar  institutions.  We  are  not  flooded  with  cur- 
rent literature;  but  every  department  of  our  col- 
log(i  and  preparatory  school  is  represent od  by  at 
least  a  fow  standard  works.    The  departmcint  of 

[285  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

history  is  reasonably  full.  A  private  scientific 
library  of  over  a  thousand  volumes  is  open  to  the 
daily  use  of  all  students,  and  is  practically  a  part 
of  our  possessions.  The  library  is  accessible." 
*'The  purchase  of  nearly  every  volume  which  it 
contains  is  dignified  by  a  suggested  record  of  self- 
denial  and  effort.  In  the  early  days  boys 
scrubbed  and  girls  cooked  and  mended,  and  all 
employed  every  legitimate  device  at  their  com- 
mand to  increase  the  needy  collection.  In  a  very 
literal  sense  pathos  and  humor  entered  into  our 
prose  and  poetry." 

Thirty-nine  valuable  volumes  from  Mr.  W.  T. 
Clapp  of  Pasadena,  among  many  other  contribu- 
tions, followed  this  communication.  Appeals  were 
not  confined  to  the  librarian.  They  w^ent  out  from 
many  interested  ones,  and  were  more  or  less  fruit- 
ful. Memorial  volumes  came  in.  Public  docu- 
ments also  began  to  come  in  larger  measure,  not 
only  filling  the  shelves  but  making  a  more  work- 
able library.  In  1897  Mr.  C.  M.  Pratt  began  his 
annual  donation  of  five  hundred  dollars  for  the 
purchase  of  books.  Two  years  later  Pearsons 
Hall  of  Science,  a  semi-fireproof  building,  was 
dedicated,  and  offered  a  still  more  convenient  and 
a  safer  place  for  the  library.  This  latter  fact  in- 
spired confidence  in  the  bestowal  of  valuable 
books. 

The  permanent  home  of  the  library  came. 
through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Carnegie.    Demands 

[2m] 


LIBRARY  AND  MUSEUM 

grew  so  urgent  that  the  College  was  badly  handi- 
capped for  lack  of  suitable  accommodations.  Ac- 
cordingly, the  appeal  was  made  where  so  many 
institutions  had  found  relief. 

The  site  proposed  for  the  building  was  a  half- 
block  which  had  been  designated  on  the  town-site 
map  as  a  park.  The  site  had  been  sold  for  taxes, 
and  redeemed  by  two  or  three  citizens,  who  gave 
the  tax  title,  and  the  original  owner  gave  a  quit- 
claim deed  for  the  property  to  the  College.  Both 
deeds  expressly  permitted  the  College  to  build  a 
library  upon  it.  By  reason  of  the  semi-public  na- 
ture of  the  site,  the  college  authorities  asked  the 
so-called  town  officers  to  join  in  the  application  to 
Mr.  Carnegie  for  assistance.  These  officers  had 
no  legal  standing.  Mr.  Carnegie,  therefore,  re- 
fused to  recognize  them,  and  dealt  wholly  with 
the  College. 

The  first  proposition  made  was  for  a  library 
costing  twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  with  the 
stipulation  that  the  College  should  raise  an  equal 
amount  for  library  endowment.  This  sum  seemed 
wholly  inadequate  for  an  institution  already  so 
large,  growing  so  rapidly  and  demanding  so  much 
of  its  librfiry.  A  further  appeal,  therefore,  was 
mad(;  by  Pn^sidcnt  Gates  through  his  friend,  Al- 
l)(!rt  Shaw,  editor  of  the  "Review  of  Reviews," 
and  in  rcHyxtnse  forty  thousand  dollars  wms  i)roin- 
ised  for  tlu'  huilding,  conditioiuul  on  raising  forty 
thousand  dollars  for  library  endowment. 

[287] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

"When  the  amount  had  been  subscribed  the 
Board  of  Trustees  appointed  Messrs.  Gates,  Sum- 
ner and  Marston  as  the  Building  Committee,  and 
empowered  the  Executive  Committee  to  sign  the 
contract  for  the  building.  Mr.  Franklin  P.  Burn- 
ham  of  Los  Angeles  was  secured  as  architect,  and 
he  prepared  plans  in  general  conformity  with  a 
sketch  drawn  by  Professor  F.  P.  Brackett.  The 
contract  was  let  to  the  man  who  built  the  court- 
house at  Riverside,  and  who  was  vouched  for  by 
the  architect.  The  building  was  to  be  of  rein- 
forced concrete,  fireproof.  Mr.  Burnham  had 
planned  the  Polytechnic  High  School  in  Los  An- 
geles and  other  important  buildings,  and  was 
highly  recommended. 

Little  was  known  as  yet  of  reinforced  concrete. 
Soon  after  the  contract  was  signed,  a  large  struc- 
ture of  this  material  at  Long  Beach  collapsed 
after  the  third  floor  was  laid.  About  the  same 
time  a  building  in  Ohio  fell  under  similar  condi- 
tions. The  Committee  was  troubled.  Mr.  Edwin 
Squire,  an  engineer  who  had  been  employed  to 
have  direct  oversight  of  the  construction  work 
at  Pomona,  visited  Long  Beach,  accompanied  by 
the  secretary,  had  an  interview  with  the  contrac- 
tor of  the  wrecked  building,  and  made  a  personal 
inspection  of  the  ruins.  Mr.  Squire  read  the  best 
authorities  and  thoroughly  informed  himself  as 
to  the  use  of  reinforced  concrete,  and  after  con- 
siderable discussion  additions  were  made  to  the 

[288] 


LIBRARY  AND  MUSEUM 

original  siDecifications  in  order  to  insure  strength 
in  the  foundations,  and  particularly  in  the  floors 
and  stairs,  the  increased  expense  being  consid- 
erable. The  foundations  were  built  slowly  and 
very  thoroughly. 

The  corner  stone  was  laid  February  22,  1907, 
with  an  elaborate  program.  Under  the  direction 
of  Professor  Colcord  an  academic  procession  was 
formed  at  the  chapel  and  marched  to  the  library 
site,  taking  position  on  the  east  and  north  sides 
of  the  foundations.  President  Gates  first  intro- 
duced Rev.  M.  G.  Hart  of  the  Christian  Church  of 
Pomona,  who  emphasized  the  value  of  much  read- 
ing. He  thought  it  desirable  to  prolong  the 
course  of  study  a  year,  if  need  be  in  individual 
cases,  in  order  to  give  time  for  work  in  the  li- 
brary. Casey,  Chalmers  and  Wilberforce  were 
instanced  as  men  who  were  inspired  by  books  to 
great  achievements. 

Rev.  Charles  Pease  of  the  First  Congregational 
Church,  Long  Beach,  next  spoke.  He  represented 
the  library  as  the  stepping-stone  from  our  lower 
to  our  higher  selves.  The  library,  he  said,  stands 
for  "vision,  courage  and  patience,"  the  interpre- 
tation of  Paul's  "faith,  hope,  love"  which  makes 
knowhidge  a  real  and  histing  power.  "  l^ooks 
open  wide  the  heart  and  the  mind,  and  make  liicni 
clean  cliarinclH  for  ih(?  (entrance  of  wisdom  tliut 
comcH  from  tho  heart  of  (iod," 

Professor  Bissell  read  a  list  of  liic  memorials 

[  289  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

deposited  in  the  stone.  This  included  the  articles 
taken  from  the  corner-stone  of  the  abandoned 
*' Central  Hall,"  together  with  memorials  of  the 
day — namely,  copies  of  the  Los  Angeles  "Times" 
and  the  Pomona  "Times"  and  "Progress"  of 
September  25,  1888,  and  February  22,  1907,  a 
copy  of  the  "Student  Life,"  the  last  year's  cata- 
logue, a  recent  Bulletin,  the  latest  library  report, 
the  first  circular  issued  by  the  College,  a  program 
of  the  exercises  September  25,  1888,  and  the  Ar- 
ticles of  Incorporation. 

President  Gates  laid  the  stone.  Eev.  Warren 
F.  Day,  D.D.,  vice-president  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  led  in  the  dedicatory  prayer.  The  col- 
lege hymn  was  sung,  and  the  procession  returned 
to  the  chapel. 

Here  Eev.  Arthur  S.  Phelps,  pastor  of  the  Cen- 
tral Baptist  Church,  Los  Angeles,  gave  the  formal 
address  of  the  day.  After  an  outline  history  of 
the  development  of  education,  he  spoke  of  the 
modern  theory  of  education  as  divided  into  three 
branches, — reading,  writing  and  arithmetic, — and 
emphasized  reading  as  standing  for  acquisition. 
But  acquired  knowledge  was  shown  to  be  of  little 
value  unless  assimilated  and  used.  The  address 
was  strong  in  thought,  rich  in  its  reference  to  lit- 
erature, and  bristling  with  bright,  apt  and  telling 
illustrations  which  profoundly  interested  and  im- 
pressed the  audience.  "For  the  inspiration  of 
this   address,"   says  the   "Student   Life,"   "we 

[  290  ] 


LIBRARY  AND  MUSEUM 

shall  remember  the  day  more  than  for  anything 
else ;  and  we  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  those  who 
were  instrumental  in  bringing  Mr.  Phelps  to  us. ' ' 

The  process  of  building  was  all  along  slow  and 
thorough.  Every  detail  was  supervised  with  the 
greatest  care,  and  ample  tests  were  applied  to 
every  part  before  the  building  was  accepted. 

The  library,  facing  east,  with  its  high  portico, 
massive  columns  and  broad  steps,  presents  a 
stately  front.  The  facade  shows  two  stories,  with 
deep-set  mullioned  windows,  plain  and  pleasing 
cornices  and  moldings,  a  high  basement  and  a 
tile  roof.  The  rotunda,  into  which  one  enters,  is 
open  to  the  ceiling  of  the  second  story.  Counters 
confront  one  on  either  hand,  separated  by  the 
gate  leading  into  the  stack  room,  which  is  visible 
along  the  broad  aisle  to  the  west  wall.  At  the 
right  is  the  general  reading-room,  with  reading 
tables  and  magazine  cases,  and  at  the  center  of 
the  north  wall  the  large  fireplace,  with  space  for 
portraits  on  either  side.  At  the  left,  in  the  refer- 
(^nce  room,  one  sees  reference  books  galore,  and 
the  corresponding  fireplace  on  the  south  wall. 

The  finish  in  the  main  part  is  mahogany,  with 
cork  matting  on  the  floors.  The  stairs  load  from 
botli  Hides  of  the  entrance,  meeting  above  tiie 
front  door,  and  ending  in  front  of  the  show-cases 
that  extend  around  three  sides  of  the  gallery.  On 
tlie  north  side  is  the  directors'  room,  and  next  to 
it  a  room  now  used  for  classes.    On  tlie  opposite 

[  291  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

side  are  the  librarian's  rooms  and  the  room  for 
scientific  periodicals.  In  the  rear,  over  the  stack 
room,  are  seminar  rooms,  to  be  used  as  such  until 
the  main  and  mezzanine  floors  are  filled.  In  the 
basement  are  a  large  room  intended  for  a  news- 
paper room,  but  now  used  by  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association;  the  heating  and  ventilat- 
ing apparatus;  and  under  the  stack  room  the 
workshop,  with  space  for  files  of  papers,  periodi- 
cals and  pamphlets.  The  furnishings,  lighting  ar- 
rangement, and  all  the  appointments  are  up  to 
date  in  every  respect.  The  actual  cost  of  the  li- 
brary, with  furnishing,  was  fully  ten  thousand 
dollars  more  than  the  amount  given  by  Mr.  Car- 
negie. This  excess  was  due,  first,  to  the  added 
strength  already  referred  to,  and,  second,  to  the 
financial  failure  of  the  contractor  and  the  conse- 
quent moral  (not  legal)  obligation  felt  by  the 
Board  of  Trustees  to  share  the  loss  with  the 
Claremont  people  to  whom  he  was  indebted. 

The  pressure  for  expansion  was  such  that  with- 
out waiting  for  the  dedication,  as  soon  as  the 
workmen  left,  every  room  was  occupied.  The 
sense  of  relief  that  came  to  every  department 
with  this  noble  building  can  hardly  be  overstated. 
The  general  crowding  had  become  quite  intoler- 
able. Repeatedly,  at  different  hours  in  the  day, 
seventy-five,  and  sometimes  one  hundred,  stu- 
dents were  counted  at  the  tables  in  the  various  li- 
brary departments.    The  feeling  of  confidence  in. 

[292] 


LIBRARY  AND  MUSEUM 

the  future  inspired  by  this  acquisition  was  inter- 
esting. It  affected  the  whole  morale  of  the  insti- 
tution. Loyalty  rose  to  enthusiasm.  Here  was 
permanence.  Here  was  a  glimpse  of  the  high  ideal 
toward  which  Pomona  was  aiming.  Every  stu- 
dent and  every  teacher  not  only  belonged  to  the 
present  Pomona,  but  to  the  Pomona  yet  to  be. 

This  feeling  was  enhanced  by  the  character  of 
Smiley  Hall  and  the  Observatory,  which  were  go- 
ing forward  at  the  same  time.  It  recalled  past  oc- 
casions when  like  waves  of  enthusiasm  had  gone 
over  the  College,  as  when  the  change  was  made 
from  the  narrow  quarters  in  Pomona  City  to  the 
new  home  in  Claremont;  when  Holmes  Hall  was 
occupied ;  when  Science  Hall  was  dedicated.  Loy- 
alty was  not  simply  renewed — it  was  deepened, 
strengthened,  made  more  comprehensive.  The 
ideals  became  clearer,  grander.  This  was  very 
noticeable  on  the  great  Day  of  Dedication,  which 
was  a  marked  event  in  Pomona's  history,  not  so 
much  for  any  pomp  or  show  as  for  a  sense  of  real- 
ization and  promise. 

Between  ten  and  eleven  thousand  volumes  were 
removed  into  the  new  library,  nearly  all  reference 
and  departmental  books.  While  the  working 
H('.()]K\  of"  IIh!  library  was  remarkably  large,  all  felt 
the  restriction  of  IIh;  small  collection.  A  new  era, 
}iowev(;r,  now  dawncij.  The  lihi'ary  endowment 
was  a  great  liclf).  Siiicf  llic  (icdication  an  aver- 
age  addition    ol"   about    liflrcn    iiundrcd    volumes 

[  21)3  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

each  year  has  enabled  the  departments  to  widen 
their  scope  beyond  the  courses  actually  taught,  so 
that  some  attention  could  be  given  to  the  broader 
fields  of  literature. 

The  collection  for  the  museum  began  about  the 
same  time  as  that  for  the  library,  and  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  the  two  were  identified  closely.  As 
early  as  1891  a  collection  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty-seven  casts  of  archaeological  objects  came 
to  the  College  from  the  National  Museum  at 
Washington.  The  ''Speculum,"  referring  to  the 
organization  of  the  Science  Club  in  1893,  says: 
''The  early  classes  in  botany,  zoology  and  geol- 
ogy, under  Professor  Starr,  Professor  Brackett 
and  Miss  Roe,  have  already  collected  a  number 
of  minerals,  birds  and  reptiles;  a  variety  of  In- 
dian relics  have  been  secured  by  Mr.  Barrows, 
and  others  have  donated  samples  of  iron  and 
wood. ' '  The  Science  Club  always  has  been  help- 
ful in  this  work.  Many  curios  were  received  in 
those  early  days.  Mrs.  W.  Learned,  wife  of  Pro- 
fessor Learned  of  Doshisha  College,  Kyoto, 
Japan,  presented  several  rare  Japanese  articles. 

With  the  coming  of  Professor  Cook  the  museum 
commenced  to  grow  rapidly.  His  own  large  and 
rare  collection  was  a  museum  in  itself,  especially 
rich  in  the  lines  of  entomology,  geology  and  ar- 
chaeology. Many  others,  either  directly  or  indi- 
rectly through  him,  made  frequent  contributions. 

[294] 


LIBRARY  AND  MUSEUM 

Mr.  James  F.  Illingworth,  as  student  and  as  grad- 
uate, added  a  large  number  of  specimens.  Many 
other  students,  some  not  in  Professor  Cook's 
classes,  were  on  the  watch  for  specimens  wanted 
in  the  museum.  In  1894  Professor  Cook,  by  solic- 
itation, secured  a  manikin  and  a  number  of  stuffed 
skins  of  rare  animals.  As  an  illustration  of  his 
forethought,  it  was  found  when  an  ostrich  died 
in  the  public  park  at  Pomona  that  Professor 
Cook  already  had  obtained  from  the  owner  a  writ- 
ten promise  of  any  ostrich  which  might  lose  its 
life.  Opportunities  to  get  valuable  specimens 
were  occurring  from  time  to  time,  and  Professor 
Cook  never  let  such  chances  pass,  either  for  lack 
of  money  or  of  personal  work.  When  he  left  the 
College  he  left  behind  all  his  own  specimens  and 
books  as  well. 

Along  botanical  lines  especially.  Professor  Carl 
F.  Baker  was  a  large  contributor  to  the  College, 
in  both  books  and  specimens.  It  is  said  that  his 
collection  is  second  to  only  one  on  the  Pacific 
Coast,  and  that  one  has  recently  been  obtained. 

Soon  after  the  coming  of  President  Blaisdcll, 
an  opportunity  was  presented  through  the  kind- 
ness of  J5eloit  C()lleg(i  to  secure  a  very  im[)ortant 
collection  of  California  geological  specimens,  at  a 
cost  of  five  hundred  dolhirs.  Happily,  Mr.  Carl- 
ton S(!aver  of  Pomona,  licaring  llie  offer,  y)ur- 
cliased  tin;  colh^ction   for  flic  (/ollege. 

"The  rnuH(!uni  contains  an  ahundance  of  good 

[  290  j 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

synoptical  material,  including  mammals,  bird 
skins,  mounted  and  unmounted,  thousands  of  in- 
sects, and  in  all  over  two  hundred  and  fifty  thou- 
sand specimens." 

Mrs.  Colcord  has  been  indefatigable  for  years 
in  securing  memorabilia  of  New  England.  Al- 
ready the  collection  is  quite  large,  and  makes  the 
New  England  room  in  the  Library  attractive. 
Miss  Hathaway  and  others  have  donated  a  num- 
ber of  choice  autograph  letters  written  in  the 
early  days  of  America. 


[296] 


CHAPTER  XX 

THE  COLLEGE  COMMONS  AND  INN 
Some  of  the  richer  features  of  the  college  life 
are  the  outgrowth  of  conditions,  rather  than  the 
realization  of  early  plans.  Not  the  least  of  these 
is  the  combined  Commons  and  Inn.  The  Inn  is 
an  adjunct,  entirely  separate  and  maintained  pri- 
marily to  facilitate  the  purpose  of  the  Commons ; 
but  incidentally  it  is  a  convenience  to  the  commu- 
nity and  to  very  many  others. 

The  Commons  is  the  boarding-house  for  the 
mass  of  the  students,  both  men  and  women.  Its 
purpose  is  to  provide  wholesome  and  satisfactory 
board  for  students,  at  practically  cost  price,  and 
under  such  conditions  and  regulations  as  shall, 
along  with  economy,  aid  in  the  general  cultural 
work  of  the  College.  The  main  plan  is  old  and 
familiar.  The  particular  details,  here  at  Pomona, 
have  been  developed,  out  of  an  experience  of 
twonty-five  years,  witli  great  pains  on  the  part  of 
the  trusteris,  faculty  and  students.  The  trustees 
liavo  liad  to  do  chiefly  with  the  financial  side  of 
tlie  problem,  more  especially  with  ])rovi(ling  the 
plae(;  and  tin;  genc^ral  nianagtM*.  TIh^  faculty, 
wliilf!  retaining  th(!  control  and  holding  unflineh- 
ingiy   to   tli(!  main    purpose,   has  sought  steadily 

[  297  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

and  persistently  to  leave  the  management  of  the 
dining-room,  just  as  far  as  possible,  in  the  hands 
of  the  students.  From  year  to  year  there  have 
heen  many  changes  with  these  ends  in  view.  Un- 
questionably, the  whole  system  has  been  deter- 
mined somewhat  by  the  early  history  of  the  Col- 
lege, when  students,  faculty  and  citizens  all  took 
their  meals  together.  Sometimes  the  hand  of  au- 
thority has  been  felt  to  be  quite  necessary.  But 
more  and  more  the  cooperation  of  the  student 
body  has  been  secured,  until  little  else  is  now 
needed  to  maintain  the  high  ends  sought. 

The  students  have  to  do  only  with  the  student 
dining-room.  The  general  method  of  seating  is 
to  have  ten  or  twelve  at  each  table.  A  committee 
of  students  allots  the  seats,  placing  a  young  man 
and  a  young  woman  in  charge  of  each  table.  The 
order  of  seating  is  changed  by  the  committee  sev- 
eral times  a  year.  Those  in  charge  are  expected 
to  do  all  in  their  power  to  make  their  tables  pleas- 
ant, attractive  and  helpful.  The  young  men  are 
ordinarily  interspersed  among  the  young  women. 
Table  manners,  decorum,  conversation — every- 
thing is  sought  that  contributes  to  cultivated  so- 
cial relations,  without  too  much  repression. 
Sometimes  for  a  period  the  young  men  and  young 
w^omen  are  given  separate  tables.  Sometimes  a 
class  is  seated  by  itself.  While  this  general  ar- 
rangement has  its  dangers,  like  everything  else 
that  is  good,  experience  has  proved  it  to  be,  all 

[298] 


COLLEGE  COMMONS  AND  INN 

in  all,  both  pleasing  and  valuable.  In  many  in- 
stances its  value  hardly  could  be  overestimated, 
and  it  has  had  much  to  do  with  success  and  use- 
fulness in  life's  work.  Few  of  the  alumni  would 
wish  to  see  any  material  change  in  the  plan  that 
has  proved  so  successful. 

While  the  Commons,  all  through  the  first  dozen 
or  fifteen  years,  had  a  varying  popularity,  per- 
haps with  some  reason,  it  has  unquestionably 
gro\vn  in  esteem,  until  it  has  come  to  be  recog- 
nized generally  as  an  attractive  and  conspicuous 
feature  of  the  college  life.  But  it  has  reached  its 
success  through  a  long,  hard  struggle,  sometimes 
seemingly  a  life-and-death  struggle. 

One  purpose  of  the  College  always  has  been  to 
see  that  no  one  of  fair  ability,  in  earnest  to  secure 
a  college  education,  should  be  deterred  by  lack  of 
means.  The  high  cost  of  living  in  this  new  coun- 
try was  found  to  be  a  serious  drawback.  To  com- 
pete in  the  price  of  board  with  like  institutions  in 
the  Middle  West,  from  which  many  of  the  college 
constituency  came,  was  impossible.  Prices 
seemed  to  them  exorbitant,  and,  with  long-de- 
layed and  at  })('st  small  incomes,  impossible.  To 
keep  rates  down  was  a  constaiii  effort.  In  spite 
of  the  b(!st  (iiidcsavors,  even  making  no  cliarge  for 
rent  or  perhaps  for  superintendence,  the  boarding 
departnuait  ol'Um  showed  a  deficit,  and  at  tiie 
sarrK!  tinu?  occasioned  some  gniml)ling. 

Mr.   T.   W.   Strobridge,  .Jr.,  a  l)rigiit  businosa 

[  21)1)  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

man  who  had  been  brought  up  in  his  father's 
hotel,  was  secured  to  assist  the  boarding  depart- 
ment while  keeping  the  college  books.  It  was  sim- 
ply impossible  to  keep  the  price  of  board  low,  and 
at  the  same  time  satisfy  the  students.  One  after 
another,  in  sheer  desperation,  built  a  little  shack 
of  the  cheapest  material  and  in  the  cheapest  way 
possible,  and  roomed  and  boarded  in  it.  Two 
would  sometimes  combine,  and  so  lessen  the  ex- 
pense. When  the  college  course  was  ended,  the 
shack  would  be  handed  down  to  another.  This 
way  of  living  was  unsatisfactory.  It  was  bad  for 
health,  bad  for  manners,  generally  demoralizing. 
''Harmony  Hall,"  or  "Poverty  Club,"  as  it  was 
variously  dubbed,  was  built,  in  order  that  simpler 
but  wholesome  and  inexpensive  board  might  be 
obtained.  A  good  man  and  woman  were  found 
to  manage  it.  This  soon  proved  anything  but 
popular  or  elevating,  and  it  came  to  a  natural 
death.  "Sycamore  Lodge,"  or  "The  Mush 
Room,"  was  another  attempt  to  solve  the  prob- 
lem. Other  clubs  were  formed,  and  had  their 
brief  day,  with  no  better  success.  Homes  were 
opened,  where  good  women  would  board  students 
at  cost,  receiving  nothing  except  their  own  board 
for  their  hard  work;  but  they  could  not  compete 
with  the  Commons.  The  matter  was  the  occasion 
of  ceaseless  anxiety  to  all  concerned  for  fifteen 
years. 
In  1903  Miss  Katharine  Winans,  a  graduate  of 

[300] 


COLLEGE  COMMONS  AND  INN 

the  University  of  Southern  California,  who  had 
spent  a  year  or  more  at  Simmons  College  in  Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts,  to  fit  herself  for  just  such 
work,  came  to  Claremont.  Her  administrative 
ability  and  training  quickly  produced  results. 
Fairly  satisfactory  board  was  given,  and  the  de- 
partment paid  its  way.  Boarders  came  in  from 
outside,  were  charged  a  little  more  than  the  stu- 
dents, and  the  returns  were  still  more  satisfac- 
tory. Miss  Winans  soon  saw  the  possibilities,  and 
in  one  way  and  another  sought  to  meet  them. 

Finally,  the  utmost  limits  of  Sumner  Hall  were 
reached.  The  new  Commons,  with  Inn  attached, 
was  suggested,  and  the  whole  community  was  in- 
terested in  the  plan.  The  advantage  already  en- 
joyed, of  a  place  where  meals  could  be  served  at 
moderate  cost,  was  too  great  to  be  lost,  and  the 
further  need  of  rooms  for  the  entertainment  of 
guests  was  felt.  A  meeting  of  the  citizens  was 
called,  and  a  proposition  for  a  stock  company 
placed  before  them.  It  appealed  strongly,  and, 
in  connection  with  the  College,  a  company  was  or- 
ganized, the  stock  subscribed,  plans  for  the  build- 
ing drawn  and  accepted,  and  the  Commons  and 
Inn  })uilt  on  lots  belonging  to  the  college  campus. 
The  board  of  control  was  elected  from  the  citizens 
outside,  Jind  Irom  the  College.  Miss  Winans  was 
at  the  fond'jont  of  the  whole  movenienl,  and 
lai'gely  planned  and  supervised  every  drtnil,  in 
cjonjunction  with  the  architects. 

[  301 J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

The  work  had  to  be  done  mostly  in  the  summer 
vacation,  while  Sumner  Hall  was  undergoing 
gi'eat  changes  to  fit  it  for  the  housing  of  the  larg- 
est possible  number  of  students.  The  rush  of 
the  work  was  too  much  for  Miss  Winans.  While 
everything  was  completed  most  satisfactorily, 
and  the  new  year  opened  auspiciously  with  full 
numbers,  the  nervous  strain  had  unfitted  her  for 
her  task,  and  she  was  obliged  to  resign.  The 
charm  was  broken.  The  problem  seemed  greater 
and  more  troublesome  than  ever. 

While  in  Sumner  Hall  the  boarding  department 
had  not  been  obliged  to  include  rent  as  one  of  its 
expenses.  Now  outside  stockholders  necessitated 
the  charging  of  interest  on  the  new  Commons  to 
that  account.  An  experienced  hotel  man  was  em- 
ployed, but  could  not  make  ends  meet.  A  woman 
of  experience  was  tried,  and  she  failed.  Assess- 
ments followed,  and  the  stockholders  became  dis- 
couraged. One  after  another  gave  up  his  stock  to 
the  College. 

At  length  Eev.  E.  F.  Goff  took  up  the  Com- 
mons and  Inn  problem.  He  seemed  at  once  to  be 
master  of  the  situation,  and  the  College,  com- 
pelled somehow  to  maintain  the  Commons,  bought 
the  small  remainder  of  stock  and  took  the  respon- 
sibility of  its  management.  The  interest  account 
was  lessened  by  the  stock  given  up.  Twice  the 
Commons  dining-room  has  been  enlarged.  The 
old-time  success  has  returned.     The  institutioti  ■ 

[302] 


COLLEGE  COMMONS  AND  INN 

had  so  grown  in  favor  that  in  the  summer  of  1912 
a  large  addition  was  made  to  the  Inn  department, 
which  included  a  number  of  desirable  rooms  with 
baths  for  guests,  an  enlarged  and  improved  re- 
ception room,  and  greater  facilities  for  banquets. 
The  Inn  now  proves  to  be  an  efficient  help  in  sus- 
taining the  Commons,  while  at  the  same  time  it 
is  a  convenience  to  the  community,  to  the  friends 
of  the  College  and  to  the  traveling  public.  Being 
near  the  Foothill  Boulevard,  it  is  convenient  for 
a  great  number  of  automobilists,  who  stop  there 
for  luncheon  or  dinner.  Suppers  for  parties,  or 
banquets  for  larger  numbers,  are  frequent.  Fam- 
ilies and  individuals  from  the  East,  not  very 
strong,  yet  not  invalids,  who  wish  a  quiet  and  not 
too  expensive  home,  come  here  for  the  winter 
season. 

An  article  in  the  ' '  Student  Life, ' '  written  at  the 
time  of  the  transfer  from  Sumner  Hall  to  the  new 
quarters,  before  the  Preparatory  School  was 
dropped,  gives  a  fair  impression  of  this  feature 
of  the  college  life  from  the  student's  viewpoint: 
''Pomona  College  possesses  a  feature  almost 
unique  among  colleges  of  her  size,  namely,  a  sin- 
gle (lining-hall  attended  by  over  half  of  all  the 
HtudentH,  and  a  much  larger  proportion  of  the 
college  students.  This  year  the  dining-room  is 
establiKlied  in  its  beautiful  new  (juarters  in  the 
Inn,  for  whose  taste*  and  attrnctivencHS  too  much 
credit   cannot   be   given    to   Miss    Winans.      For 

[  303  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

years  past  the  college  dining-hall  has  been  sit- 
uated in  Sumner  Hall,  and  now  as  we  abandon  it 
for  the  new  room,  a  word  as  to  the  factor  it  has 
been  in  our  college  life  does  not  seem  out  of  place. 
For  one  thing  it  has  meant  friendships,  chances 
for  informal  meeting  and  acquaintance,  not  only 
between  the  men  and  the  women  of  the  institution, 
but  also  between  members  of  the  different  classes, 
such  as  is  furnished  in  no  other  way.  It  has  lent 
its  aid  to  broad  culture,  the  acquirement  of  the 
usages  of  polite  society,  and  the  sjnnpathetic  con- 
sideration of  the  wants  of  others.  Finally,  it  has 
been  a  powerful  factor  in  building  up  the  esprit 
de  corps  of  the  school.  Pomona  is  undoubtedly 
indebted  in  no  small  degree  to  Sumner  Hall  din- 
ing-room for  the  spirit  of  comradeship  which  ex- 
ists throughout  the  whole  student  body,  and  for 
the  unity  which  underlies  all  the  college  life.  The 
influences  possessed  by  the  old  dining-room  have 
been  transferred  to  the  new.  The  same  chances 
for  friendship  and  culture  and  wider  fellow- 
ship are  offered  by  it.  But  it  is  the  duty  of  each 
and  every  student  who  attends  it  to  determine  in 
what  degree  he  will  take  advantage  of  the  oppor- 
tunities offered.  Certain  it  is  that  whoever  neg- 
lects them  will  deprive  himself  of  a  chance  to 
gain  some  of  the  most  important  elements  of  a 
true  education." 

Assuredly  we  do  well  to  emphasize  an  institu- 
tion which  produces  such  results  as  here  are  de- 

[304] 


COLLEGE  COMMONS  AND  INN 

scribed,  evidently  out  of  personal  experience  and 
observation  rather  than  worked-up  idealism.  Po- 
mona College  stands  by  her  Commons. 


[  :m  ] 


CHAPTER  XXI 

ADDITIONAL  TRUSTEES 
While  the  first  trustees  have  certain  peculiar 
and  important  relations  to  the  College,  neverthe- 
less the  Board  of  Trustees  is  a  continuous,  self- 
perpetuating  body,  into  which  new  members  are 
entering  from  time  to  time,  each  of  whom,  equally 
Avith  all  the  others,  has  an  open  field  for  influence. 
A  strong,  positive,  constructive  personality  can- 
not fail  to  be  felt  at  whatever  stage  he  may  enter 
the  Board,  and  in  proportion  to  the  length  of  time 
he  is  connected  with  it.  Not  only  at  the  begin- 
ning, but  at  every  period  of  its  life,  a  college  may 
be  judged  by  its  board  of  trustees.  Personal  in- 
terest, therefore,  centers  in  every  member  of  that 
board,  past  and  present,  elected  as  he  must  have 
been  Avith  reference  to  his  fitness  for  the  posi- 
tion. Space  will  permit  only  a  few  words  of 
characterization. 

On  April  12,  1892,  Rev.  Edward  Hildreth  of 
Los  Angeles  was  elected  to  the  Board.  Mr.  Hil- 
dreth was  a  graduate  of  Chicago  Theological 
Seminary,  and  married  the  daughter  of  Mr. 
Philo  Carpenter,  who  was  one  of  that  seminary's 
earliest  and  largest  benefactors.  His  ovm  long 
experience  as  financial  agent  of  the  Seminary, 

[306] 


ADDITIONAL  TRUSTEES 

and  both  his  own  and  his  wife's  interest  in  Chris- 
tian education  seemed  to  render  him  peculiarly 
fitted  to  help  Pomona.  He  entered  heartily  into 
the  Christian  life  of  the  College,  and  contributed 
valuable  books  to  the  Biblical  department.  Find- 
ing it  difficult  to  attend  the  meetings  on  account 
of  ill  health,  he  served  but  one  term.  At  his  death 
he  left  a  small  bequest  to  the  College. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  this  same  year  Rev. 
Lucius  Haskell  Frary,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  Pilgrim 
Church,  Pomona,  was  made  a  trustee.  Up  to  this 
time  he  had  declined  to  take  a  place  on  the  Board. 
As  pastor  of  the  mother  church,  a  close  friend  of 
trustees,  faculty  and  many  students,  in  a  thou- 
sand ways  he  had  been  brought  into  intimate  and 
tender  relations  with  the  College.  Dr.  Frary  put 
into  the  college  work  the  same  qualities  that  he 
put  into  his  pastorate,  making  it  one  of  the 
most  efficient  jjastorates  in  Southern  California. 
Throughout  his  trusteeship,  on  the  Executive 
(/ommittee,  and  for  a  time  as  president  of  the 
Corporation,  he  shared  alike  in  tlie  burdens  and 
responsibilities  of  his  office.  "When  the  real 
liistory  of  Pomona  College  is  written,"  says  Rev. 
E.  E.  P.  Abbott,  in  the  minutes  of  the  General 
Association  ol*  Congregational  Churelics  of 
Southern  California,  **he  will  be  counted  in  that 
little  band  that  cared  for  and  cherished  it  in  its 
e/uIi(!Ht  and  most  critical  years."  Regardless  of 
official  relations,  he  was  essentially  one  of  the 

[  :m  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

founders  of  Pomona  College.  He  remained  on 
the  Board  of  Trustees  as  long  as  he  was  able  to 
serve. 

Dr.  Frary  was  born  at  Haverhill,  New  Hamp- 
shire, March  19,  1839,  and  died  at  Long  Beach 
May  13,  1903.  He  was  graduated  at  Dartmouth 
College  in  1866,  and  at  Andover  Theological  Sem- 
inary in  1869.  The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity 
was  conferred  on  him  by  Dartmouth  in  1899.  Af- 
ter a  service  of  six  years  at  Middleton,  Massachu- 
setts, and  eleven  years  at  "Weymouth,  on  account 
of  the  illness  of  a  daughter,  their  only  child,  the 
family  came  to  California.  Here  Dr.  Frary  as- 
sumed the  pastorate  of  the  Congregational 
Church  at  Sierra  Madre,  where  during  the  year  of 
his  ministry  the  daughter  died.  Although  called 
back  to  his  former  church  at  "Weymouth,  he  de- 
clined the  call,  and  accepted  the  invitation  to  the 
Pilgrim  Church,  Pomona,  in  1888. 

The  year  following  Dr.  Frary 's  election.  Judge 
Franklin  Blades,  M.D.,  and  Mr.  Albert  K.  Smiley 
came  on  the  Board.  On  account  of  ill  health 
Judge  Blades  declined  to  serve  more  than  one 
term  of  four  years.  His  experience  in  the  law, 
especially  in  the  office  of  judge,  together  with  a 
deep  interest  in  the  college  work,  rendered  his 
service  of  peculiar  value  in  some  troublous  times. 
Nor  has  his  interest  diminished  since  his  official 
connection  ceased. 

Mr.  Smiley,  after  his  first  term  of  service,  re- 

[308] 


ADDITIONAL  TRUSTEES 

tired  for  a  year  or  two  on  account  of  ill  health, 
but  was  reelected  and  continued  in  office  for  fif- 
teen years.  He  retained  his  interest  to  the  end  of 
his  life  and  left  a  small  bequest  to  the  College. 
About  half  the  year,  with  Mrs.  Smiley,  he  was  at 
his  hotel  on  Lake  Mohonk.  When  they  were  at 
their  home  at  Canon  Crest,  Eedlands,  he  was  a 
faithful  attendant  on  all  the  calls  of  the  College, 
night  and  day,  and  was  interested  in  every  phase 
of  its  work.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Trustee 
Committee  on  Grounds. 

Mr.  Smiley 's  successful  management  of  a  pri- 
vate school  of  his  own,  his  long  connection  as 
trustee  with  Bro^vn  University,  his  work  in  the 
organization  and  upbuilding  of  Bryn  Mawr,  his 
special  work  for  Vassar  in  her  time  of  need,  and 
his  trusteeship  of  the  New  York  Normal  School, 
together  with  his  good  judgment,  all  gave  him  a 
rare  fitness  as  adviser  of  Pomona.  His  opinion 
in  college  matters  commanded  attention.  His 
wide  and  varied  experience  built  up  in  him  a 
])roadth  and  strength  of  manhood  that  gave  to 
liis  presence,  his  words  and  his  deeds  a  power 
with  young  and  old  alike,  and  made  his  trustee- 
.sliip  of  priiiK!  importance!  to  tlio  (^olli^ge.  Nor  was 
bis  iiifliiciice  all  summed  u})  in  liis  inunediate  rcbi- 
tions  to  it;  his  name  gave  confidence,  and  was 
every wliere  an  advocate  for  Pomona.  His  advo- 
cacy, too,  was  RonietinicH  direct  and  eflicietd,  ])()lli 
by  letter  and  l)y  personal  conference.    Tlie  men 'a 

[  :m  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

dormitory  was  named  after  him  at  Dr.  Pearsons' 
request. 

In  1894  Judge  Charles  E.  Harwood,  Mr.  Frank 
L.  Palmer  and  Rev.  Warren  F.  Day,  D.D.,  were 
elected  trustees.  Judge  Harwood,  with  his  fam- 
ily, came  to  Ontario  a  year  or  more  after  the  in- 
corporation of  the  College.  He  was  kno"v\Ti  well 
by  his  work  for  Drury  College,  Springfield,  Mis- 
souri, and  was  made  treasurer  with  the  under- 
standing that  he  attend  the  meetings  of  the  Board 
and  participate  in  the  discussions.  At  his  sug- 
gestion Mr.  C.  M.  Stone,  cashier  of  the  People's 
Bank,  Pomona,  was  appointed  his  assistant. 

Mr.  Harwood 's  experience  in  college  matters 
and  in  the  business  world,  together  with  his  ac- 
tive mind,  made  him  fertile  in  suggestions  of 
ways  and  means,  and  in  many  matters  a  leader. 
"When  his  brother.  Rev.  J.  H.  Harwood,  declined 
reelection,  he  was  put  on  the  Board.  Although 
the  oldest  member,  he  rarely  has  been  absent 
from  an  appointment.  For  a  dozen  years  he  has 
been  on  the  Executive  Committee.  He  was  de- 
scended from  one  of  the  foremost  settlers  of  Ver- 
mont, and  was  graduated  at  Williams  College.  Ill 
health  compelled  him  to  turn  from  the  practice  of 
law  to  business.  Thus  by  his  early  as  well  as  his 
later  experience  he  was  fitted  for  his  work  at  Po- 
mona. With  such  men  as  Judge  Harwood,  Mr. 
Marston  and  Mr.  Blanchard,  who  are  always  as- 
sociated together,  working  shoulder  to  shoulder, 

[310] 


ADDITIONAL  TRUSTEES  i 

there  could  be  no  balking  at  great  undertakings. 

Mr.  Palmer,  by  reason  of  other  obligations,  did 
not  retain  long  his  connection  with  Pomona.  For 
a  time  he  was  treasurer  of  the  College,  and  he 
served  on  some  important  committees  with  effi- 
ciency. He  is,  and  from  the  beginning  always  has 
been,  accounted  as  one  of  Pomona's  friends. 

Dr.  Day  continued  in  active  service  for  fifteen 
years,  overlapping  W.  H.  Day's  trusteeship  three 
years.  For  six  years  he  was  on  the  Executive 
Committee.  Dr.  Day  was  to  be  relied  on  for  the 
faithful  performance  of  every  duty  he  assumed, 
and  was  always  a  pronounced  friend  of  Pomona. 
As  pastor  of  the  First  Congregational  Church  of 
Los  Angeles,  he  was  the  center  of  a  very  wide  in- 
fluence, and  both  from  him  and  from  Mrs.  Day  the 
College  has  come  to  expect  and  has  received  effi- 
cient help.  Alike  the  students  and  faculty  and 
the  church  at  Claremont  were  always  glad  to  see 
and  hear  Dr.  Day. 

I^hreo  additions  came  in  1895:  Rev.  II.  W. 
Lathe,  Rev.  A.  E.  Tracy  and  Mr.  H.  G.  Billings. 
Mr.  Lathe,  the  pastor  of  the  First  Congrega- 
tional Church  of  Pasadena,  soon  loft  the  State 
and  n^sigiKid  from  the  trusteesliip. 

Mr.  I'racy  was  a  trustof!  fiv(?  years,  on  (lio 
Executive  Committee  four  ycais,  and  for  a  time 
H(H',r(!tary  of  tin;  Board.  Jh;  was  of  missionary 
stock,  and  inarricMl  a  sister  of  the  llarwoods,  so 
widely  known  in  Congregational  circles  for  thoir 

|;;ii  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

interest  in  the  Clmrcli  and  its  benevolences,  and 
for  their  interest  in  the  College.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tracy  had  enjoyed  a  wide  experience  in  Western 
New  England  churches,  and  brought  to  the  Col- 
lege not  a  little  of  the  spirit  of  devotion  and  sac- 
rifice. Their  oldest  son,  Edwards  Ira,  a  promising 
graduate  of  Pomona,  was  drowned  soon  after 
leaving  college,  while  teaching  in  New  Hamp- 
shire. The  loss  was  profoundly  felt  by  his  par- 
ents, by  his  class,  and  by  the  whole  body  of  the 
alumni. 

Mr.  Billings  brought  to  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
and  especially  to  the  Executive  Committee,  a  wide 
and  successful  business  experience,  which  was  ap- 
preciated heartily.  His  sudden  death  after  two 
years  of  service  was  felt  to  be  a  calamity  to  Po- 
mona. To  his  devotion  to  the  College  is  due,  no 
doubt,  the  generous  interest  manifested  by  Mrs. 
Billings  after  his  death. 

The  following  year  Mr.  J.  Ross  Clark  and  Rev. 
J.  H.  Williams,  D.D.,  were  elected  trustees.  Mr. 
Clark  was  a  valuable  member  of  the  Board,  espe- 
cially in  matters  of  finance  and  general  business, 
and  the  Board  was  loath  to  part  with  him 
after  five  years  of  service.  He  felt  the  pressure 
of  obligations  to  others  so  strongly  that  he 
declined  to  continue  his  official  relations  with 
Pomona. 

Dr.  Williams'  long  and  successful  pastorate  at 
Redlands  is  a  sufficient  tribute  to  his  usefulness. 

[312] 


ADDITIONAL  TEUSTEES 

There  has  been  no  one  on  the  Board  of  Trustees 
on  whom  the  College  could  rely  more  confidently. 
His  judgments  were  always  calm,  well  poised  and 
well  considered.  The  College  has  not  ceased  to 
regret  his  loss  from  its  councils,  nor  to  regard 
him  as  one  of  its  warmest  and  most  active  friends. 

In  1897  four  members  were  added  to  the 
Board:  Rev.  Edward  F.  Goff,  Mr.  George  H. 
Bixby,  Mr.  John  H.  Dole  and  Rev.  Stephen  A. 
Norton,  D.D,  Mr.  Goff  commended  himself  so 
fully  to  the  Board  during  his  ten  years  of  service 
that  when  he  surrendered  his  pastorate  at  River- 
side and  his  trusteeship,  he  was  made  business 
manager.  One  of  the  first  objects  of  his  atten- 
tion was  the  Commons  and  Inn.  Here  he  quickly 
showed  a  master  hand.  The  general  business  of 
the  College  grew  to  be  onerous,  and  he  gave  up 
its  details  to  an  assistant,  but  continues  to  act  as 
manager  of  the  Commons  and  Inn,  and  to  attend 
personally  to  some  other  important  business  mat- 
ters. His  advice  and  cooperation  are  valued 
highly. 

Mr,  Bixby  is  the  son  of  Mr.  Jotham  Bixby,  head 
of  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent  Congrc- 
galioTial  families  in  Routliern  California.  A  grad- 
uate; of  Yale,  h(\  rcitains  a  taste;  for  and  liabit  of 
continuous  study  along  chosen  lines,  in  spite 
of  an  active  and  responsibh;  business  life  <  hw  of 
the  yoimgoHi  men  on  the  Tionrd,  h<;  was  soon  |iut 
on  th(;  l']]\i\i\cj'  ( loiiiriiillcf,  and  his  counsels  have 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

been  of  recognized  service.  He  has  taken  especial 
interest  in  the  library. 

Mr.  Dole  had  been  a  member  of  the  Board  only 
about  a  year  when  he  was  called  to  service  in  an- 
other world.  This  short  official  relation  very  in- 
adequately represents  his  personal  and  financial 
service,  and  that  of  his  brothers,  to  the  College. 
He  was  cashier  of  the  People's  Bank  in  Pomona, 
where  for  many  j^ears  the  College  kept  its  ac- 
count, and  for  a  time  he  was  treasurer  of  the  Col- 
lege. His  loss  in  that  position  in  the  bank  would 
have  been  more  severely  felt  but  for  the  happy 
promotion  of  Mr.  C.  M.  Stone  to  his  place,  and  the 
continuance  of  the  Dole  brothers  in  control  of  the 
bank. 

There  was  kindness,  graciousness  and  real  sym- 
pathy in  all  Mr.  Dole 's  relations  to  the  College,  its 
faculty  and  other  officers,  and  in  maintaining  the 
College  ideals  he  showed  a  spirit  of  helpfulness 
which  is  rare  and  marks  a  high  type  of  the  Chris- 
tian gentleman.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  Dole 
Prize  Debate.  Many  connected  with  the  College 
lost  in  him  a  dear  and  helpful  friend. 

Dr.  Norton,  the  son  of  a  home  missionary,  a 
brother  of  Professor  E.  C.  Norton,  a  graduate  of 
Amherst,  and  during  his  term  of  service  the  pas- 
tor of  the  First  Congregational  Church  of  San 
Diego,  was  for  six  years  a  highly  esteemed 
member  of  the  Board.  When  he  accepted  the 
pastorate  of  the  old  Congregational  Church  of 

[314] 


ADDITIONAL  TRUSTEES 

AVoburn,  Massachusetts,  he  presented  his  resig- 
nation. He  is  still  consulted  from  time  to  time  in 
the  interests  of  the  College. 

Kev.  George  C.  Adams,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the 
First  Congregational  Church  of  San  Francisco, 
was  elected  to  the  Board  in  1900  to  take  the  place 
of  Dr.  McLean  as  northern  representative.  After 
one  term  of  service  he  resigned  because  of  the 
difficulty  in  attending  meetings.  Dr.  Adams  gave 
an  inspiring  address  before  the  Christian  As- 
sociations of  the  College  at  Commencement  in 
1900. 

In  1901  Rev.  Henry  Kingman,  D.D.,  and  Mr. 
Charles  E.  Walker  were  received  into  the  Board. 
Dr.  Kingman,  as  pastor  of  the  Claremont  Church, 
is  necessarily  in  very  close  touch  with  the  College. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  was  on  the  Executive 
Committee,  and  often  since  his  resignation  from 
that  position  he  has  been  called  into  council  on 
important  matters,  and  has  prepared  important 
pap(;rs  in  the  interest  of  the  College.  His  appeals 
in  b(!half  of  Pomona  for  financial  help  never  fail 
of  generous  response.  By  inheritance,  by  educa- 
tion, by  years  of  peculiar  experience,  and  by  his 
sufx-r))  a])ility  and  rare,  ripening  (^lirislian  char- 
act(!r,  Dr.  Kingman  is  one  of  llie  great  assets  of 
th(»  College.  Mrs.  Kingman  most  earnestly  sec- 
onds liini  in  liis  woi'Iv,  and  liis  lionu*  nbountls  in 
li()Hf)italily. 

Mr.  VValk<'r,  tlic  j)r('sid('nt  ol"  IIm'  First  National 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Bank  of  Pomona,  is  a  financier  of  repute  in  the 
State.  When  the  Doles  gave  up  the  People's 
Bank  and  Mr.  Stone  became  the  cashier  of  the 
First  National  Bank,  the  College  transferred  its 
account  to  that  institution.  At  once  Mr.  Walker's 
financial  ability  was  felt  in  college  matters.  He 
was  put  on  the  Finance  Committee,  and  quickly 
took  the  lead  in  the  investment  and  all  the  care 
of  the  endo^^Tnent  funds.  In  1905  he  was  elected 
treasurer,  and  by  reason  of  his  position  in  the 
Bank,  and  his  financial  connections,  is  enabled  to 
keep  the  funds  continually,  productively  and 
safely  invested.  Not  only  in  this,  but  also  in 
many  other  ways  his  business  ability  is  helpful 
and  his  advocacy  is  fruitful.  Living  near,  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Executive  Committee,  where  his 
judgment  is  often  needed. 

Mr.  Stephen  H.  Herrick  came  on  the  Board  in 
1902,  although  he  had  been  for  years  practically 
showing  his  friendship  for  Pomona.  Like  Judge 
Harwood,  he  retains  trusteeship  in  an  eastern  col- 
lege, the  alma  mater  of  himself  and  his  son.  Mr. 
Herrick  is  a  bank  president  and  an  orange 
grower,  but  he  finds  time  to  do  a  large  amount  of 
Christian  work  nearer  home,  and  for  all  South- 
ern California.  His  wide  experience  alike  in 
business  and  educational  matters,  and  even  more, 
his  consecrated  Christian  life  and  active  benevo- 
lence, are  appreciated  heartily  by  the  friends  of 
Pomona. 

[316] 


ADDITIONAL  TRUSTEES 

Rev.  Walter  B.  Hinson,  D.D.,  and  Mr.  Edwin 
F.  Hahn  were  elected  trustees  in  1903.  Dr.  Hin- 
son is  a  Baptist  minister,  and  was  long  settled  and 
greatly  beloved  in  San  Diego.  He  remained  on 
the  Board  four  years,  and  was  always  a  good 
friend  of  the  College,  although  not  active  in  her 
councils. 

Mr.  Hahn,  a  lawyer  who  has  grown  into  a  wide 
practice  in  Pasadena,  was  the  first  alumnus 
elected  to  the  Board  of  Trustees ;  but  his  election 
was  followed  five  years  later  by  that  of  Mr.  Ar- 
thur M.  Dole,  and  then  by  the  election  of  Mr. 
Llewellyn  Bixby.  Undoubtedly  this  means  that 
more  are  to  follow,  until  the  Board  shall  include 
a  fair  proportion  of  alumni.  The  importance  of 
this  action,  as  seen  in  the  history  of  other  educa- 
tional institutions,  rarely  is  overestimated.  In 
this  way  the  friends  absolutely  vital  to  the  life 
of  the  College  are  brought  into  its  councils,  and 
become  the  mouthpieces  between  the  ruling 
powers  and  the  great  body  of  the  alumni. 

An  experiment  of  not  a  little  interest  was  made 
in  190G,  by  the  election  for  five  years  of  five  men 
from  the  Church  of  the  Disciples.  These  men  are 
Mr.  C.  C.  Chapman,  Mr.  John  Fleming,  Ken-. 
Frank  M.  Dowling,  Mr.  W.  L.  Porterfield  and 
Rev.  A.  C.  Smither.  Mr.  Smither  was  made  vice- 
president,  and  there  was  some  measure  of  co- 
openition.  The  action  of  the  general  convocation 
of  the  Disciples'  chnrches  seems  now  to  indicato 

[317] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

that  they  Avill  attempt  to  build  a  college  of  their 
own. 

Rev.  Joseph  H.  Johnson,  D.D.,  bishop  of  the 
Diocese  of  the  Episcopal  Church  of  Southern  Cal- 
ifornia, and  Eev.  William  Horace  Day,  D.D.,  were 
elected  trustees  in  1908.  Bishop  Johnson  is  a 
graduate  of  Williams  College,  Williamstown, 
Massachusetts,  and  both  by  education  and  con- 
viction is  heartily  in  sympathy  w^itli  Pomona's 
ideals.  On  two  important  occasions  he  has  deliv- 
ered valuable  addresses  at  college  functions,  and 
in  many  ways  has  proved  an  effective  helper.  At 
the  present  time  he  is  \Tice-president  of  the  Board. 

Dr.  Day,  son  and  associate  pastor  of  Dr.  War- 
ren F.  Day,  and  subsequently  pastor  of  the  same 
church,  recently  from  the  best  schools  in  this 
country  and  in  England,  full  of  enthusiasm  and 
rich  in  suggestion,  w^as  felt  to  be  an  important 
addition  to  the  working  forces.  No  church  in  the 
constituency  should  send  Pomona  so  many  stu- 
dents as  his,  the  First  Congregational  Church  of 
Los  Angeles. 

Of  the  newer  trustees,  Mr.  J.  M.  Elliott,  presi- 
dent of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Los  Angeles, 
felt  compelled  to  resign  after  two  or  three  years 
of  service,  because  of  the  pressure  of  other  busi- 
ness. Mr.  E.  P.  Clark,  whose  father  was  one  of 
the  founders  of  Iowa  College,  comes  with  the  an- 
cestral spirit.  Mr.  W.  E.  H.  Weldon  is  a  compar- 
atively .new  man,  and  a  friend  of  Mr.  Blanchard. 

[318] 


ADDITIONAL  TEUSTEES 

Mr.  B.  A.  Woodford,  so  long  the  successful  man- 
ager of  the  Southern  California  Fruit  Exchange, 
and  Mr.  F.  M.  Wilcox,  who  conies  with  a  reputa- 
tion from  similar  college  work  in  Dakota,  bring 
to  the  Executive  Committee  the  promise  of 
strength  and  efficiency. 


[319] 


CHAPTER  XXII 

ADDITIONAL  PROFESSORS 
Very  noticeable  in  educational  circles  during 
the  last  half-century  has  been  the  development  of 
graduate  study.  The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philos- 
ophy was  beginning  to  be  familiar  twenty-five 
years  ago.  A  few  teachers  had  received  it.  Its 
requirement,  however,  for  teachers  hardly  was 
thought  of.  Now  first-class  colleges  generally  de- 
mand it  of  permanent  teachers.  The  degree  sig- 
nifies three  or  four  years  of  specialized  study 
after  receiving  the  Bachelor's  degree.  This 
should  mean  a  more  comprehensive  and  thorough 
knowledge  of  one  or  two  special  subjects,  and  a 
wider  range  of  general  information.  A  man  may 
become  a  well-equipped  scholar  without  even  a 
Bachelor's  degree;  at  the  same  time,  the  number 
of  those  who  actually  secure  outside  of  educational 
institutions  what  the  degree  signifies  is  very  small. 
The  present  enlarged  opportunities  for  study 
give  to  the  modern  teacher  an  advantage  over 
earlier  teachers,  unless  by  special  work  the  differ- 
ence has  been  made  up  by  the  latter.  This  advan- 
tage in  a  measure  compensates  in  the  case  of  the 
later  teachers  for  the  benefit  enjoyed  by  the 
earlier  ones  of  a  longer  connection  with  the  insti- 

[320] 


ADDITIONAL  PROFESSORS 

tution,  and  of  having  had  a  part  in  forming 
its  policies  and  precedents.  It  follows  that 
the  more  recent  teacher  in  the  life  of  an  insti- 
tution may  easily  find  himself  on  an  equality  with 
the  earlier  teacher.  What  the  one  has  gained 
from  opportunities  the  other  has  gained  from 
experience. 

Pomona  has  been  remarkably  fortunate  in  her 
earlier  professors,  and  her  good  fortune  has  not 
failed  her  in  more  recent  instructors.  While  some 
have  come  and  gone,  around  that  honored  nucleus 
from  time  to  time  have  been  gathered  other  per- 
manent teachers  wholly  worthy  to  preserve  the 
traditions  of  the  past  and  to  meet  new  emergen- 
cies as  they  shall  arise. 

In  1892  Mr.  Frederick  Horatio  Billings,  son  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  G.  Billings,  so  favorably  known 
in  Pomona  circles,  was  appointed  assistant  pro- 
fessor in  the  natural  sciences.  After  two  years  of 
faithful  work,  Professor  Billings  resigned  and 
went  to  Harvard  for  further  study.  He  there 
took  the  Doctor's  degree,  and  was  appointed  pro- 
fessor in  the  state  university  at  Baton  Rouge, 
Louisiana. 

Miss  Marieliiin  Fjinny  T^liclps,  B.A.,  followed 
Miss  Alio.n  in  the  women's  depai'tmenl,  with  the 
title  of  acting  principal  for  women  and  assistant 
ill  Latin  and  (ireek.  Miss  I*lielps,  one  of  Presi- 
dent (Jjitcs'  former  pufjils,  witii  the  best  inten- 
tions and  spirit,  was  young  and  inexpeiieneed  for 

[321] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

her  responsibilities.  She  was  earnest  and  faith- 
ful, and  remained  two  years,  doing  good  work. 

Miss  Olive  Lillian  Austin,  B.L.,  succeeded  to 
the  position,  first  as  principal,  then  as  dean  of 
women  and  instructor  in  mathematics.  Miss  Aus- 
tin continued  at  the  head  of  the  young  women's 
department  for  five  years.  She  was  a  good 
scholar,  an  excellent  teacher,  a  woman  of  strong 
Christian  character,  and  of  experience  in  her  par- 
ticular work.  A  hard  worker,  watchful  at  every 
point,  she  devoted  herself  to  her  calling,  and 
richly  merited  and  in  large  measure  received  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  every  one. 

Her  task  was  a  difficult  one,  with  preparatory 
girls  and  college  women  under  the  same  roof.  The 
necessary  restrictions  for  the  younger  students 
were  irksome  to  the  older  ones.  The  case  was 
greatly  simplified  in  the  hall  when  the  prepara- 
tory students  no  longer  were  received.  Miss 
Austin  has  a  host  of  friends  who  were  sorry  to 
have  her  leave  the  College  and  who  warmly  cher- 
ish her  memory.  She  was  granted  leave  of  ab- 
sence for  one  year,  and  did  not  return. 

Professor  Milton  Erastus  Churchill,  Litt.D., 
driven  from  the  deanship  of  Illinois  College  to 
Southern  California  by  ill  health,  was  made  in- 
structor in  Greek  in  1903,  and  the  following  j-ear 
associate  professor  of  Greek  and  Latin.  Since 
1907  he  has  been  secretary  of  the  faculty,  a  posi- 
tion whose  scope  was  extended  in  1911.    In  this 

[322] 


ADDITIONAL  PROFESSORS 

latter  year  he  was  elected  associate  professor  of 
German.  AVhile  Professor  Churchill  is  an  accu- 
rate scholar  both  in  the  classical  languages  and  in 
German,  and  while  his  work  in  the  classroom  is 
of  a  high  order,  he  was  found  to  be  so  efficient  in 
certain  committee  work,  especially  in  the  matter 
of  printing  and  publishing,  which  is  of  rapidly  in- 
creasing importance,  that  it  was  felt  that  he 
might  be  unusually  helpful  in  this  capacity.  Al- 
ready, with  the  chief  editorship  of  the  ''Pomona 
College  Quarterly  Magazine"  resting  on  his 
shoulders,  this  prediction  is  fulfilled. 

In  the  same  year  as  Professor  Churchill's  ad- 
vent, Mr.  Charles  Fuller  Baker  was  elected  in- 
structor in  biology.  At  the  end  of  the  year  he  was 
called  away  to  a  rich  experience  in  biological 
work  in  the  island  of  Cuba,  and  subsequcnth'  to 
a  like  position  in  Brazil.  In  1908  he  came  back  to 
Pomona  as  acting  professor  of  zoology,  and  the 
next  year  was  made  full  professor. 

Professor  Baker  is  a  strong  man  and  a  com- 
manding teacher.  He  has  a  magnetic  personality, 
and  his  presence  imparts  confidence  in  his  word 
and  work.  An  indefatigable  worker  himself,  ho 
excels  in  finding  and  inspiring  men. 

His  laboratory  was  a  busy  j)lacc  day  and  night 
and  some  of  his  students  did  quite  remarkable 
work.  By  the  exhibition  of  rare  fruits  and  plants, 
new  to  this  part  of  tlie  country,  with  instructions 
as  to  their  value  and  tlioir  cultivation,  ho  awak- 

[323] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ened  a  wide  interest  in  their  propagation.  He 
was  welcomed  to  all  horticultural  gatherings.  In 
like  manner  the  students  were  always  ready  to 
listen  to  him.  He  donated  to  the  College  a  very 
extensive  collection  of  material  for  use  in  his  de- 
partment. Heartily  in  sympathy  with  the  ideals 
of  the  College,  he  has  w^orked  with  enthusiasm 
and  has  done  much  to  build  up  the  department. 
By  means  of  his  work,  with  Professor  Cook's 
assistance,  the  Laguna  Beach  Laboratory  was  set 
in  motion,  and  now  with  Mr.  Forbes '  effective  co- 
operation in  securing  land  and  building,  it  is 
likely  to  develop  into  an  enterprise  of  great  serv- 
ice to  the  College.  The  very  valuable  work 
wrought  there  under  his  direction  in  1911  is  de- 
scribed in  an  illustrated  volume  of  permanent 
worth. 

Professor  Baker  is  so  strong  and  enthusiastic 
a  worker  in  his  o"^ti  department  that  his  tendency 
is  to  over-emphasize  its  importance  in  a  well-bal- 
anced cultural  college.  At  the  same  time,  his  ac- 
ceptance of  an  alluring  call  to  a  professorship  in 
the  Philippines  occasioned  no  little  regret. 

Four  new  men  were  taken  on  the  faculty  in 
1904:  Eev.  Arthur  Maxson  Smith,  Ph.D.,  Mr. 
Mendal  Garbutt  Frampton,  M.A.,  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Polk  Russell,  M.A.,  and  Mr.  Robert  Day 
Williams,  M.A. 

Dr.  Smith  was  elected  insti-uctor  in  philosophy 
and  pedagog}',  and  the  following  year  professor 

[324] 


ADDITIONAL  PEOFESSORS 

of  philosophy.  He  continued  in  this  relation  until 
1909,  when  he  resigned  his  professorship  on  the 
ground  that  he  was  no  longer  in  sympathy  with 
some  of  Pomona's  ideals. 

Dr.  Smith  was  a  graduate  of  the  first  class  at 
Pomona,  took  his  Ph.  D.  and  B.  D.  at  Chicago 
University,  and  entered  the  Baptist  ministry. 
Elected  president  of  Oahu  College  at  Honolulu, 
Hawaiian  Islands,  he  accepted,  and  spent  some 
years  there.  From  this  position  after  some  time 
spent  in  Chicago  he  came  to  Pomona.  His  ac- 
knowledged ability,  scholarship  and  experience 
raised  high  expectations  and  the  faculty  and  all 
the  friends  of  the  College  welcomed  him  heartily. 
He  was  popular  with  the  students,  and  did  strong- 
work.  His  withdrawal  occasioned  much  disap- 
pointment and  regret. 

Professor  Frampton  came  from  Wisconsin 
University  in  1904,  and  was  made  instructor  in 
th(!  English  language  and  rhetoric.  He  was  asso- 
ciate professor  in  these  branches  from  1905  to 
191 1,  when,  at  the  beginning  of  his  sabbatical 
year,  he  wjis  elected  professor  of  the  Englisli  lan- 
guag(>.  Ho  had  already  taken  graduate  work  both 
at  Chicago  and  at  Harvard,  and  now  resumed  hia 
stndy  at  Harvard.  Professor  Framplon  lias  l)een 
grovvijig  in  Kcbolarsliii)  and  in  general  ("("licicncy 
froiii  tiic  fifsi  (lay  of  iiis  Ifacliing  in  roiiKma.  It 
is  understood  that  lie  ))ut  in  a  year  of  hard  slndy 
with  H[)e<'.ial  i-eferenee  lo  his  work  al   the  (^)llege, 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

and  every  one  rejoices  at  his  elevation  to  the 
professorship. 

Professor  Eussell  was  elected  first  as  teacher 
of  mathematics  in  the  Preparatory  Department, 
and  made  so  good  a  record  that  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  College  Department  and  made  as- 
sistant professor  in  1908,  and  associate  professor 
in  1912.  He  is  a  strong  teacher,  and  is  growing 
in  his  personal  influence  over  his  students  and  in 
the  community. 

Professor  Williams,  a  graduate  of  Pomona, 
after  taking  his  M.  A.  at  the  University  of  Cali- 
fornia, first  was  made  instructor  in  biology,  and 
then  instructor  in  biology  and  geology.  At  the 
end  of  the  second  year  he  went  to  Yale,  where 
he  took  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy.  He 
returned  to  his  alma  mater  as  instructor  in  phi- 
losophy. After  one  year  he  was  made  associate 
professor  of  philosophy,  and  two  years  later  pro- 
fessor of  psychology  and  education.  Professor 
Williams'  record  at  Yale  and  his  work  as  a 
teacher  have  been  gratifying.  He  built  up  his  de- 
partment until  it  was  necessary  to  have  separate 
instruction  in  philosophy. 

In  1905  three  additions  were  made  to  the  fac- 
ulty :  Mr.  Francis  Harding  White,  M. A.,  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Atwood  Hilton,  Ph.D.,  and  Mr.  Charles 
Davidson,  Ph.D. 

Mr.  TMiite  was  appointed  instructor  in  history, 
to  do  the  work  in  that  department  formerly  done 

[326] 


ADDITIONAL  PROFESSORS 

by  Dr.  George  S.  Sumner,  who  had  been  trans- 
ferred from  the  professorship  of  history  to  that 
of  economics  and  sociology.  He  was  an  experi- 
enced teacher,  and  was  known  favorably  as  a 
writer  of  history.  It  was  demonstrated  quickly 
that  he  was  a  man  of  broad  culture,  in  full  sym- 
pathy with  Pomona's  ideals,  a  hard  worker,  and 
one  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  connnunity. 
As  a  teacher  he  advanced  first  to  assistant  and 
then  to  associate  professor  of  history.  His  first 
sabbatical  year  was  spent  at  Harvard,  where, 
with  the  strong  commendation  of  his  teachers,  he 
took  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy.  In  view 
of  this  year  of  study  he  was  appointed  full  pro- 
fessor of  history.  Dr.  White  has  written  several 
very  pleasing  and  creditable  hymns  on  important 
occasions. 

Dr.  Hilton  was  first  made  instructor  in  biology, 
and  was  advanced  to  associate  professor  of  zool- 
ogy. He  was  respected  and  valued  greatly  by  the 
College,  and  it  was  with  regret  that  his  resigna- 
tion was  accepted  in  order  that  he  might  take  a 
Yiko  position  in  Cornell  University.  Later  his 
willingness  to  leave  a  more  lucrative  position  in 
the  University  of  Minnesota  to  come  back  to  Po- 
mona as  prof(!SSor  of  zoology,  succeeding  Profes- 
sor Baker,  was  very  gratifying.  Professor 
I'jikcr's  |')1<'U'(!  was  a  hard  one  fo  fill  and  Professor 
Jlilton  \iH)Vi'.i\  to  b(>  an  adniirablo  successor.  A 
witness  of  this  fact  is  found  in  the  later  nuniberH 

[327] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

of  the  ''Pomona  College  Journal  of  Entomol- 
og}^,"  of  which  Professor  Cook  and  Professor 
Baker  were  the  founders,  Professor  Hilton  being 
now  the  acting  editor. 

Dr.  Davidson,  a  graduate  of  Iowa  College,  at 
Grinnell,  Iowa,  after  a  year  of  fruitful  service  for 
Pomona  in  visiting  and  in  correspondence  with 
the  high  schools  of  Southern  California,  as  well 
as  in  other  work,  was  called  to  organize  the  de- 
partment of  education  as  professor  in  the  new 
University  of  Maine. 

Rev.  Charles  Cummings  Stearns,  M.A.,  re- 
ceived the  appointment  of  professor  of  Biblical 
history  and  literature  and  principal  of  the  Pre- 
paratory School  in  1906.  A  graduate  of  Yale,  a 
teacher  in  both  private  school  and  college,  a  trav- 
eler in  Bible  lands,  and  a  special  student  of  ar- 
chaeology, Professor  Stearns  brought  a  rich  expe- 
rience to  his  life  at  Pomona.  Withal  he  is  a  hard 
worker  and  a  cultivated  Christian  gentleman. 
The  Preparatory  School  has  passed  away,  but 
Professor  Stearns  still  finds  work  to  do,  if  not  in 
his  own  particular  department,  then  in  some 
other.  His  genial  personality,  sympathetic  na- 
ture and  broad  scholarship  bring  him  into 
friendly  relations  in  and  outside  the  classroom. 
He  has  returned  recently  from  his  sabbatical  va- 
cation, which  he  spent  in  Turkey,  Egypt,  Greece 
and  Rome,  still  further  enriching  mind  and  heart 
for  his  work. 

[328] 


ADDITIONAL  PROFESSORS 

Mr.  Robert  Tresilian  Belcher,  B.A.,  was  born 
and  educated  in  Ireland,  and  had  long  been  a  suc- 
cessful teacher  when  he  was  appointed  instructor 
in  mathematics  in  Pomona  in  1907.  The  next 
year  engineering  was  added  to  his  instructorship, 
and  subsequently  he  was  appointed  assistant  pro- 
fessor of  mathematics  and  engineering.  His  very 
accurate  scholarship  and  thorough  training  make 
his  services  valuable  to  the  College,  while  as  a 
man  he  is  respected  and  honored  in  the 
community. 

Mr.  John  Williams  Hotson,  after  a  year  as  in- 
structor in  botany  and  another  year  as  assistant 
professor  of  botany,  had  leave  of  absence  for  a 
year  to  study  at  Harvard.  At  his  own  request  he 
was  released  from  further  service  in  1911.  In  his 
particular  branch  Professor  Hotson  was  a  fine 
scholar  and  an  efficient  teacher,  and  it  was  with 
regret  that  his  resignation  was  accepted. 

In  1909  two  more  essential  members  of  the 
teaching  force  were  added :  Miss  Grace  Ella 
Berry,  M.A.,  and  Mr.  James  Alexander  Lyman, 
Ph.D. 

MisH  Berry,  a  graduate  of  Mount  Ilolyoke  Col- 
J^'gc,  (iiuno.  from  Colby  (College,  Maine,  where  slio 
liad  been  at  the  head  of  the  young  women's  de- 
partment, to  b(;  d(;an  of  woiiicn  .iiid  instructor  in 
inatlH!niati(!H  at  Poiiioii.-i.  Willi  w.ii'iii  hcjirfs  slie 
was  W('l(!(»Hi('(|  iiilo  llic  r.'iciiKy,  llic  Cliiircli  and 
llx'    coiiiiniitiil y,    and     (iiiicl<Iy     round     licrsfH'    at 

L  'm  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

home.  At  present  she  has  a  large  class  of  young 
women  in  the  Sunday  school.  Her  type  of  wom- 
anhood is  broad,  sjonpathetic  and  adaptive, 
whether  in  the  classroom  or  in  her  office,  whether 
threading  the  halls  of  the  young  women's  home 
or  off  on  some  caiion  walk  or  drive.  She  finds  her 
way  to  the  hearts  of  her  students  and  is  their 
friend  and  confidant.  Faculty  and  students  rely 
on  her  judgment  and  rejoice  in  her  leadership. 
The  title  of  assistant  professor  of  mathematics 
has  been  conferred  upon  her.  She  has  become  a 
part  of  the  institution. 

Professor  Lyman  came  from  a  position  at  a 
higher  salary  in  an  academy  at  Portland,  Oregon, 
to  be  head  of  the  chemistry  department.  A  grad- 
uate of  Beloit  College,  he  took  his  Doctor's  degree 
at  Johns  Hopkins.  He  is  joint  author,  with  Pro- 
fessor Morgan  of  the  University  of  California, 
of  a  text-book  in  chemistry  which  is  widely  in  use. 
"While  quiet  and  undemonstrative,  he  is  scholarly 
and  efficient  in  the  classroom  and  laboratory,  a 
man  of  positive  convictions  and  strong  Christian 
character.  By  reason  of  his  early  associations 
and  profound  beliefs,  he  is  in  full  sympathy  with 
Pomona's  ideals,  as  proved  by  his  sacrifices  to 
cast  in  his  lot  with  her. 

Mr.  Maro  Beath  Jones,  B.A.,  received  the 
appointment  of  associate  professor  of  romance 
languages  in  1911.  His  scholarship  and  his  long  so- 
journ and  much  travel  in  the  lands  and  among  the 

[330] 


ADDITIONAL  PROFESSORS 

peoples  whose  native  languages  he  teaches,  have 
given  him  peculiar  fitness  for  his  work.  So  great 
is  the  demand  for  these  languages  that  it  has  been 
necessary  to  employ  a  second  teacher  for  the 
department. 

Dr.  Arthur  V.  Stoughton,  B.A.,  was  made  in- 
structor in  anatomy  and  physiology  in  the  middle 
of  the  year  1911-12,  when  Professor  Cook  left  Po- 
mona, and  has  since  been  appointed  assistant  pro- 
fessor of  physiology  and  hygiene. 

An  enthusiastic  alumnus  of  the  second  graduat- 
ing class  of  Pomona,  Dr.  Stoughton  entered  very 
zealously  into  the  work.  Always  a  thorough  stu- 
dent, his  opportunities  for  study  in  the  best  med- 
ical schools  and  hospitals  in  this  country  and  in 
Germany,  and  his  wide  experience,  have  given 
him  a  peculiarly  happy  training  for  his  work. 
His  personality,  too,  is  a  valuable  asset,  and 
no  less  his  exceptional  Cliristian  spirit.  He 
has  acquired  a  strong  hold  on  the  student 
body,  and  possesses  the  confidence  of  the  entire 
community. 

Judge  Charles  G.  Neely  did  some  work  as  in- 
structor in  history  and  sociology  in  11)11  in  the 
absence  of  Professor  White,  but  his  |)(M-niaiient 
appointment  as  professor  of  constitutional  his- 
tory and  law  in  1912  was  a  i)art  of  the  strong  in- 
er(!as(;  in  the  teaching  forcic  iimdc  that  year  .iiiil 
involving  both  pi-ofcssors  and  insl  rnclors.  .Iiidgf 
Ne(!ly  liad  been  a  lawyer  and  .jndg(!  in  ('hicago  for 

[:5:5i  J 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

many  years,  and  was  a  leader  in  the  Presbj^terian 
Cliurcli.  His  acknowledged  abilit}^,  strong  char- 
acter and  wide  experience  of  men,  together  with 
his  genial  and  magnetic  presence,  quickly  made 
him  a  recognized  force,  not  only  in  the  classroom 
and  on  the  platform,  but  also  in  personal  relations 
with  the  students.  He  wins  their  confidence,  and 
they  respect  his  opinions.  His  presence  and  his 
voice  give  strength  to  the  faculty,  and  are  a  help 
to  the  College. 

Another  addition  at  this  time  was  Mr.  Willis  A. 
Parker,  Ph.D.,  who  was  appointed  associate  pro- 
fessor of  philosophy.  Professor  Parker  came  di- 
rectly from  his  study  for  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Philosophy  at  Harvard,  where  he  received  high 
commendation  from  Professor  Palmer,  the  head 
of  the  department  of  philosophy.  He  was  older 
than  the  average  man  is  at  the  time  of  taking 
his  degree,  and  had  enjoyed  some  years'  expe- 
rience in  the  pastorate  of  the  Christian  Church. 
It  is  hoped  that  he  will  prove  a  valuable  man 
in  the  lecture  room,  in  the  pulpit  and  on  the 
platform. 

Yet  another  appointment  of  this  year  was  that 
of  Mr.  Eugene  Schofield  Heath,  M.A.,  to  be  assist- 
ant professor  of  botany  for  two  years.  Professor 
Heath  came  from  the  University  of  Nebraska, 
where  he  was  highly  recommended.  He,  too,  has 
followed  up  the  work  of  Professors  Cook  and 
Baker  by  issuing  numbers  of  the  "Pomona  Col- 

[332] 


ADDITIONAL  PROFESSORS 

lege  Journal  of  Economic  Botany"  creditable  to 
the  College  and  to  himself.  Professor  Heath,  as 
well  as  Dr.  Hilton,  spent  the  sunmier  of  1913  at 
Laguna  Beach,  doing  some  excellent  work. 


[333] 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

DEDICATION  DAY 

November  21,  1908,  was  a  memorable  day  at 
Pomona.  It  was  notable  not  so  much  for  any  par- 
ticular event  or  events,  not  for  anything  carefully 
planned  and  wrought  out;  but  rather  for  the  cu- 
mulative effect  of  a  number  of  facts  and  events 
naturally  brought  together  and  emphasized,  no 
one  of  them  by  itself  remarkably  noteworthy,  but 
all  combined  vastly  significant.  The  time  and  the 
conditions  were  evidently  ripe  for  the  culmina- 
tion which  was  realized. 

The  fact  that  there  had  been  no  dedication  for 
eight  years  added  to  the  zest  of  the  occasion.  Af- 
ter so  long  a  period,  the  occurrence  of  three  dedi- 
cations at  once  was  startling.  It  was  as  if  the 
College  had  awakened  to  new  life.  The  address 
of  Dr.  Hale  the  evening  before  was  a  happy  intro- 
duction to  the  day,  attracting  many  friends,  and 
specially  emphasizing  the  importance  of  the  Ob- 
servatory which  was  to  be  dedicated.  Dr.  Hale 
honored  the  occasion  by  proclaiming  publicly  for 
the  first  time  some  important  discoveries  made  at 
the  Mount  Wilson  Solar  Observatory. 

On  the  appointed  morning  a  good  number  of 
alumni  and  other  friends  of  the  College  were 

[334] 


DEDICATION  DAY 

ready  to  join  the  academic  procession,  which  in 
itself  lent  dignity  and  weight  to  the  occasion.  The 
exercises  of  dedication  were  prepared  carefully, 
and  were  impressive.  They  were  naturally  retro- 
spective, and  could  not  but  be  more  or  less 
prophetic.  The  cumulative  impression  as  the  au- 
dience passed  from  building  to  building  was 
marked.  The  growing  feeling  was  less  one  of  sat- 
isfaction in  present  attainment  than  of  assured 
promise  for  the  future. 

In  the  new  dormitory,  the  first  provided  for 
men  at  Pomona,  the  visitors  seemed  to  see  not 
simply  the  meeting  of  a  present  need,  but  much 
more  the  pledge  that  in  the  near  future  all  the 
men,  as  well  as  all  the  women,  should  have  a  home 
on  the  college  campus.  It  was  a  long  step  toward 
the  ideal.  In  like  manner  the  Observatory  un- 
wittingly signified  the  lifting  of  a  department 
hitherto  little  recognized  into  the  forefront,  where 
it  might  claim  fraternal  relations  with  like  de- 
partments in  the  first  and  the  best  educational 
institutions.  Most  significant  of  all  was  the  uplift 
felt  in  the  possession  of  a  permanent  home  for  the 
library.  This  was  central,  and  promised  a  great 
advance  for  every  department  of  the  College,  As 
the  audience;  listened  to  Uu)  recounting  of  tlie  va- 
rious stages  of  change  and  development  in  tlio 
library,  and  iJien  Ix'lield  tlie  fnial  attainment,  tlio 
l;i.rg(!,  nol)l(;,  fir(![)r<)ol"  building  witli  its  up  to  date 
e(juii>nient,  a  new  wnno  of  self-respect  and  ilig- 

[  335  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

nity  was  felt,  together  with  an  assurance  of  the 
larger  respect  of  sister  institutions.  Another  fact 
was  the  natural,  almost  necessary,  inference  that 
as  heretofore  at  every  advance  movement  there 
had  been  a  corresponding  increase  of  the  student 
body,  so  now  this  greatest  of  all  advances  must 
bring  a  verj''  large  addition  to  the  number  of 
students. 

These  impressions  of  the  morning  were  deep- 
ened by  the  services  at  the  church.  Bishop  John- 
son's virile  address  was  entitled,  ''A  Look  into 
the  Future."  It  proved  to  be  an  actual  portrayal, 
and  contained  many  bright  pictures  of  the  life 
and  work  toward  which  the  College  was  rapidly 
moving. 

Mr.  Hunt,  too,  was  introduced  as  ''one  who  had 
looked  into  the  future."  On  a  map  of  the  en- 
larged grounds  he  showed  his  plan,  adopted  by 
the  College,  of  the  groupings  of  the  several  de- 
partments, and  the  buildings  thereafter  to  be 
erected.  The  plan  was  so  simple  and  natural,  and 
at  the  same  time  so  expansive  and  so  adaptive, 
that  it  commended  itself  to  all.  Taken  in  connec- 
tion with  the  other  impressions  of  the  day,  this 
graphic  portraiture  did  much  to  visualize  in  the 
minds  of  all  the  "Greater  Pomona." 

Whoever  of  those  present  that  day  has  since 
conjured  up  the  vision  of  Pomona  has  seen  not 
the  Pomona  of  the  past,  nor  the  present  Pomona, 
but   the    future   Pomona.      Thus,   without    fore- 

[336] 


DEDICATION  DAY 

thought  or  intention,  the  whole  trend  of  the  day's 
impressions  was  toward  the  future.  The  occasion 
became  at  once  a  revelation  and  a  prophecy  of 
the  days  to  come,  and  thus  significant  beyond  all 
expectation.  Hitherto  the  urgent  demands  of  the 
present  had  precluded  the  long,  forward  look, 
shutting  out  even  a  glimpse  of  the  future  that  now 
loomed  so  grandly  on  the  horizon.  Now  of  a  sud- 
den the  eyes  of  all  were  opened,  like  the  eyes  of 
Elisha's  servant,  to  see  what  before  had  been  hid- 
den from  them,  namely,  the  ''Greater  Pomona." 
From  this  time  on,  all  have  planned  and  worked 
with  reference  to  the  new  vision.  A  new  era  had 
begun. 

In  joining  the  academic  procession  and  partic- 
ipating in  the  dedication  of  the  buildings,  one 
must  realize  something  of  this  attitude  of  mind 
and  something  of  the  impressions  which  gathered 
force  as  the  procession  passed  from  one  exercise 
to  another,  in  order  that  as  it  moves  along  he  may 
be  in  sympathy  with  the  occasion,  and  appreciate 
the  spirit  of  the  several  exorcises  and  the  exalta- 
tion at  the  close. 

After  forming  on  College  Avenue,  llic  academic 
[)r()ceHsion  marclierl  directly  to  Smih^y  Hall  and 
jj;'di\io.ro.(\  about  tlie  steps  at  the  south  entrance. 
Presidcdit  (iido.H,  spf^aking  very  pleasantly  of  llio 
architects  and  contractors,  .-nid  paying  a  coinpli- 
niciit  to  ilic  rapidlly  as  well  as  llic  llioi-oiigiiiicss 
and  perfection  of  lli<'ir  work,  introduced  Mr.  i\  K. 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Richards,  who  represented  the  contractors.  Mr. 
Richards,  a  Yale  graduate  and  a  man  in  full  sym- 
pathy with  Pomona 's  ideals,  humorously  referred 
to  his  workman's  apron  and  to  the  real  mortar- 
board near  at  hand  in  contrast  with  the  academic 
gowns  and  caps.  Then,  expressing  his  satisfac- 
tion in  a  good  job  well  done  on  hurried  time  and 
his  deep  interest  and  confidence  in  the  future  wel- 
fare of  the  institution,  he  delivered  the  keys  to 
President  Gates.  Mr.  William  C.  Fankhauser, 
president  of  the  senior  class,  acting  in  the  absence 
of  Dean  Norton,  who  was  detained  by  illness, 
voiced  briefly  the  appreciation  of  the  dormitory 
from  the  students'  viewpoint.  He  dwelt  on  its 
significance,  and  further  referred  to  the  antici- 
pated time  when  all  the  young  men  should  be 
housed  on  the  campus  and  receive  the  full  benefits 
of  the  college  life. 

The  prayer  of  dedication  followed,  led  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Lewis  of  the  Christian  Church,  after  which 
the  audience  sang,  to  the  tune  of  ''Louvan,"  the 
following  hymn,  written  for  the  occasion  by  two 
of  the  young  women  of  the  senior  class : 

"0  Lord,  we  lift  our  hearts  in  praise 
For  bounteous  gifts   and  strength  of   days; 
"With  grateful  hearts  Thy  love  we  own, 
And  yield  our  lives  to  Thee  alone. 

"Thy  blessing  now,  0  Lord,  we  pray 
On  this  Thy  gift;  Thy  spirit  lay 
On  us,  that  we  may  faithful  be 
Unto  this  trust  received  from  Thee. 

[338] 


DEDICATION  DAY 

"Grant  that  Thy  presence  here  abide, 
Each  act  and  purpose  daily  guide; 
Out  from  these  halls  may  laborers  true 
Go  forth  with  joy  Thy  work  to  do." 

After  the  dedication  of  Smiley  Hall  the  proces- 
sion re-formed  and  marched  to  the  Observatory. 
Here  Mr.  Llewellyn  Bixby,  the  donor  of  the  build- 
ing, was  introduced,  and  paid  a  hearty  tribute  to 
Professor  Brackett  for  his  loyalty  and  fidelity 
to  the  College  and  to  the  science  of  astronomy. 
He  then  delivered  to  him  the  keys.  In  receiving 
them  Professor  Brackett,  in  the  name  of  the  Col- 
lege and  of  science,  feelingly  expressed  his  grati- 
tude to  the  donors  of  the  Observatory  and  the 
equipment,  and  to  Dr.  Hale  and  others  of  the 
Mount  Wilson  Solar  Observatory  for  their  help- 
ful advice  in  the  construction  and  equipment  of 
the  building.  He  laid  stress  on  the  meaning  of 
the  occasion  to  the  future  of  the  College.  "It  is 
to  be  hoped,"  he  continued,  "that  by  this  new 
equipment  the  threefold  function  of  the  teacher 
may  be  aided,  namely,  the  advancement  of  knowl- 
edge, the  instruction  of  the  student,  and  the  train- 
ing of  the  student  to  sec,  to  think,  and  to  seek 
after  truth  for  himself."  He  closed  with  those 
characteristic  words:  "May  tliis  be  a  laboratory 
where  teacher  and  pupil  shall  work  together,  ami 
together  find  God,  the  Creator  and  Soul  of  iho  uni- 
verse." Rev.  S.  0.  Emerson,  a  classmate  of  Pro- 
fossor    Brackett,    then    led    in    the    dodicatoi-y 

[339] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

prayer,  and  the  exercises  were  closed  with  the 
singing,  to  the  tune  of  ' '  Duke  Street, ' '  of  the  fol- 
lowing hymn,  composed  for  the  occasion  by  Pro- 
fessor F.  H.  White : 

"The  flaming  spheres  throughout  the  sky 

Are  torches  lighting  us  to  Thee. 
We  follow  o'er  the  starry  way, 

Rejoicing  as  Thy  steps  Ave  see. 
Far  out  in  space  our  finite  eyes 

Strive  hard  to  pierce  the  vast  unknown; 
Beyond  each  depth  another  lies; 

Infinity  is  on  the  throne. 

"Though  we  have  searched  the  universe 

And  failed  to  see  Thee  face  to  face, 
Teach  us,  0  God,  that  Thou  art  near; 

Thy  spirit  penetrates  all  space. 
Our  faintest  thought  may  find  Thee  out. 

Nor  search  in  vain  the  worlds  above. 
For   Thou  art  present  everywhere. 

And  we  are  Thine,  and  Thou  art  love." 

The  academic  procession,  coming  from  the  Ob- 
servatory, found  a  crowd  already  gathered  about 
the  library  steps.  President  Gates  introduced 
Mr.  Sumner,  who  had  been  instrumental  in  rais- 
ing the  library  endo^^ment  and  had  had  charge  of 
the  construction  of  the  building,  with  a  kindly  ref- 
erence to  his  recovery  from  a  recent  illness  and 
to  the  satisfaction  of  having  him  participate  in 
the  exercises.  Mr.  Sumner,  in  handing  the  keys 
to  the  president,  recalled  previous  dedications, 
the  condition  of  the  College  at  each  period,  and 
the  significance  of  each  event  to  the  friends  of  the 

[3i0] 


DEDICATION  DAY 

College;  and  then  portrayed  the  present  condi- 
tions and  pointed  out  something  of  the  impor- 
tance of  a  permanent  home  for  the  library. 

President  Gates,  on  receiving  the  keys,  spoke 
of  the  work  of  the  library  as  not  simply  depart- 
mental, but  general,  supplementing  and  focusing 
all  departments.  He  characterized  the  Library 
as  a  great  achievement,  with  a  far-reaching  out- 
look for  coming  days.  Professor  Bissell,  chair- 
man of  the  Library  Committee,  recalled  the  time 
when  the  entire  collection  of  books  reposed  in  a 
little  room  in  Sumner  Hall,  and  paid  a  merited 
compliment  to  Dr.  Spalding  for  her  efficient  work 
in  developing  the  library.  Rev.  Dr.  McLean,  pres- 
ident of  Pacific  Theological  Seminary,  led  in  the 
dedicatory  prayer,  after  which  the  following- 
hymn,  composed  for  the  occasion  by  Professor  F. 
n.  White,  was  sung  to  the  tune  ' '  Italian  Hymn ' ' : 

"Out   of   man's    darkest   night 
Came  forth  a  shaft  of  light, 

Piercing    the    gloom. 
After  the  long  <lclay, 
See  now  it  brings  the  day. 
Glorious  the  (|ui<k'niiig  ray, — 
Sjtirit  of  truth! 

"T(!a(;li    \is  tli(!   way  to  see; 
Keej)  our  tniiidH  ever  lic(', 

Ojx'ti  to  iiglit. 
May  we  face  Mod  and  man, 
l<\'aring   no  rnrthly  ban, 
Willing  iiiir    laic   lo  hcuu, 
S|.int    of  Iriitii! 

L341J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

"For  all  the  ages  past, 
Even  unto  the  last, 

Comes  mighty  aid. 
Safe  stored  in  books  of  gold, 
Knowledge  so  manifold 
We  may  indeed  be  bold, 

Spirit  of  truth!" 

The  exercises  at  the  Church  well  sustained 
those  at  the  several  buildings.  Following  Bishop 
Johnson's  address,  which  was  published  in  the 
''Student  Life,"  and  Mr.  Hunt's  talk,  printed  in 
his  pamphlet,  came  the  fraternal  greetings  and 
abundant  felicitations  of  the  sister  institutions, 
which  were  most  cordially  received.  Dr.  Strong, 
ex-president  of  Carleton  College,  Northfield,  Min- 
nesota, an  old  friend  of  President  Gates  as  well 
as  of  Pomona,  gave  a  very  congratulatory  and 
sj^mpathetic  talk.  Rev.  Dr.  J.  K.  McLean  pro- 
nounced the  benediction. 

The  great  day  did  not  end  here.  In  the  evening 
the  Choral  Union,  with  sixty  voices  and  an  or- 
chestra of  eighteen  pieces,  rendered  delightfully 
four  of  the  choruses  of  Haydn's  "Creation."  Of 
this  Professor  Smith  wrote  in  the  "Student 
Life":  "I  think  of  the  Choral  Union  concert  in 
the  chapel  Saturday  evening  as  the  splendid  fin- 
ishing touch  in  a  day-picture  that  will  long  be  re- 
membered by  all  friends  of  Pomona  College, — 
Dedication  Day." 


[342] 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

POMONA  ORGANIZATIONS 

Voluntary  societies  in  a  newly  organized  and 
growing  college  are  a  potent  factor  in  its  life. 
Few  students  belong  to  less  than  two,  and  many 
to  five  or  six  such  organizations.  Not  infre- 
quently the  student,  wisely  or  unwisely,  devotes 
more  time  and  thought  to  them  than  to  classroom 
work.  They  accordingly  constitute  an  essential 
part  of  this  history. 

Plainly  so  large  a  part  of  college  life,  left  to  vol- 
untary action,  must  be  attended  with  danger.  A 
note  of  warning  has  been  sounded  loudly  of  late 
in  respect  to  the  perils  in  this  direction.  It  is 
reported  that  the  acting  president  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  California,  while  in  general  commending 
voluntary  organizations  in  that  institution,  made 
very  severe  strictures  on  some  of  them.  The 
character  of  such  societies  is  the  matter  of  prime 
importance.  Already  reference  has  boon  made 
to  Pomona's  Christian  Associations,  Athletic  As- 
sociation, and  to  the  organizations  connected  with 
the  music  and  ait  departments.  Similar  nssociu- 
j.ions  demand  inoi'c^  KpocifKt  inoniion. 

I'oinonn's  society  systoni  is  sui  (jcncris.  The 
only  national  society  represented  hero  is  IMii  Holu 

[  ^43  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Kappa,  a  chapter  of  which  has  just  been  granted, 
unless  mention  is  made  of  the  College  Prohibi- 
tion League,  a  branch  of  the  State,  Coast  and 
United  States  Leagues.  This  has  at  present  four- 
teen members.  A  Pomona  man  has  won  the  State 
and  Coast  championship,  and  taken  part  in  the 
national  oratorical  contest.  The  various  local  so- 
cieties have  grown  up  on  the  ground  in  response 
to  the  demands  of  the  student  body. 

The  oldest  and  largest  of  the  select  student  or- 
ganizations, the  Pomona  College  Literary  Soci- 
ety, is  composed  of  both  men  and  w^omen.  It  was 
organized  during  the  first  college  term,  and  in  the 
absence  of  student  experience  in  such  matters,  the 
members  of  the  faculty  guided  and  assisted  in  its 
organization  and  management.  At  first  the  meet- 
ings were  held  in  the  daytime.  In  1890  it  became 
exclusively  a  college  society,  the  faculty  with- 
drew, and  the  sessions  were  held  in  the  evening. 
The  object  stated  was  ''the  improvement  of  its 
members  in  general  literary  work. ' '  Through  all 
the  years  it  has  maintained  its  limited  number 
and  been  true  to  its  objects.  As  in  the  case  of  all 
the  literarj'  and  debating  organizations,  the  ses- 
sions are  private,  with  the  exception  of  two  open 
meetings  each  year.  The  work  in  the  Society  is 
prepared  with  care,  and  is  often  worthy  of  com- 
mendation. Many  of  the  alumni  have  expressed 
themselves  as  greatly  indebted  to  this  society  for 
experience  and  inspiration. 

[344] 


o 
< 


POMONA  ORGANIZATIONS 

There  are  maintained  also  five  organizations 
primarily  for  forensic  experience;  two,  Alpha 
Kappa  and  Delta  Lambda,  for  the  women,  and 
three,  the  Pomona  College  Debating  Club,  the  Ly- 
ceum and  the  Areopagus,  for  the  men.  They  are 
all  working  organizations,  intent  on  their  pur- 
pose. From  time  to  time  they  compete  with  one 
another,  and  sometimes  in  the  unlimited  home 
trials  for  the  selection  of  those  who  shall  take 
part  in  the  intercollegiate  oratorical  and  debating 
contests.  Prizes  are  offered  for  declamation,  ora- 
tory and  debating  ability.  An  organization  of 
men  and  one  of  women,  each  having,  with  a  fac- 
ulty representative,  about  a  dozen  members  from 
the  two  higher  classes,  are  understood  to  be  pri- 
marily of  a  social  character. 

Of  a  much  more  general  and  comprehensive 
nature  are  the  Pomona  College  men's  and 
women's  organizations  of  recent  origin,  each  of 
which  is  intended  primarily  to  promote  self-gov- 
ernment among  its  members.  The  women  have 
already  attained  self-government  with  a  good 
measure  of  success.  The  men  have  frequently 
discussed  the  subject,  but  have  not  yet  adopted 
it.  The  men's  organization  has  done  some  cred- 
itable work  in  providing  for  the  reception  and 
entertainment  of  visiting  teams  for  ])hysi('al  or 
mcntnl  coritestH,  in  cnltivating  acciuninlnncc  wilii 
IIk'  liigli  Hrliools,  iiiid  in  securing  perpeliial  pi'iz(» 
(Mj[»H  for  iiigi)  Hcliool  (•()ni|)etition  in  oratory  nn<i 

L  -545  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

debating.  Both  of  these  organizations  foster  the 
spirit  of  loyalty,  and  further  unity  of  thought, 
feeling  and  action. 

Another  very  important  organization  is  the 
Associated  Students,  formed  in  1904.  This  in- 
cludes all  registered  students.  Its  purpose  is  to 
talk  over  and  decide  upon  general  student  activi- 
ties, including  those  which  have  to  do  with  inter- 
collegiate relations,  to  put  them  on  a  business 
basis,  and  to  deal  with  delicate  and  difficult  ques- 
tions. This  organization,  by  reason  of  the  unifi- 
cation of  matters  of  general  concern  to  the 
student  body,  proves  of  advantage  in  many  ways. 
The  students  officer  the  society,  and  in  general 
manage  their  ow^n  affairs,  advising  at  times  with 
the  college  business  manager.  Moreover,  they 
have  provided  for  an  advisory  committee  in  ad- 
dition to  their  executive  committee,  to  act  on  im- 
portant matters.  This  consists  of  the  president  of 
the  College,  three  members  of  the  faculty,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  two  alumni,  and 
three  of  their  own  number.  The  action  of  this  ad- 
visory committee  carries  weight,  and  has  given 
satisfaction  in  some  most  trying  situations.  In 
fact,  the  student  body  itself,  thus  organized,  is  a 
strong,  steadying,  effective  force  for  righteous- 
ness, and  works  naturally  toward  the  same  ends 
sought  by  the  men's  and  women's  organizations. 
The  whole  trend  of  college  sentiment  seems  to  be 
in  the  direction  of  throwing  the  entire  responsi- 

[346] 


POMONA  ORGANIZATIONS 

bility  of  student  matters  and  student  control  upon 
the  students  themselves. 

There  are  several  voluntary  associations  in 
which  some  of  the  faculty  and  some  of  the  stu- 
dents work  together  for  the  same  ends.  The  num- 
ber of  these,  the  stimulus  given  by  them  to  special 
and  independent  work,  and  their  contribution  to 
the  breadth  and  depth  of  scholarship  are  surpris- 
ing and  most  significant  to  one  not  thoroughly 
familiar  with  such  matters.  They  aid  in  the  col- 
lection of  specimens  and  the  various  materials 
used  in  different  lines  of  study.  Their  meetings 
are  open  to  others,  and  are  helpful  alike  to  mem- 
bers and  visitors,  for  they  present  many  of  the 
finest  scholars  and  most  inspiring  speakers  on  the 
various  subjects  under  consideration.  This  sort 
of  work,  supplemental  to  that  of  the  classroom, 
encourages  special  study  and  tends  to  the  devel- 
opment of  specialists  in  scientific  work.  The  bent 
thus  given  sometimes  determines  the  life's  call- 
ing. When  this  is  not  the  case,  it  may  determine 
an  avocation  for  life  which  is  a  source  of  enjoy- 
ment, of  luilpfulness  to  others,  and  perhai)H  may 
1)(!  otherwise  fruitful.  Many  a  business  or  i)ro- 
fessional  man  in  this  way  acMjuires  a  last<»  which 
greatly  enrich(!S  liis  life.  Tlie  discoveii^'s  and 
theories  Hugg(!st(»d  and  wrought  out  from  tlic  im- 
pulse receiv('(|  in  tlieso  meetings  arc  ol'lcii  of  pci-- 
niaiH'iit  viihic 

^J'lie  .Science  Club  is  llx'  oldest  of  Iheau  orgaui- 

.        [  347  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

zations,  and  might  be  called  the  father  of  them 
all.  This  club  was  founded  in  the  early  years 
under  the  immediate  inspiration  of  Professors 
Brackett,  Hitchcock  and  Cook.  The  object  stated 
was  "to  increase  our  interest  in  and  knowledge 
of  the  advancement  of  science."  A  further  pur- 
pose was  "the  collection  and  care  of  specimens 
for  the  museum."  There  were  twenty  charter 
members ;  Professor  Hitchcock  was  the  first  pres- 
ident, Professor  Brackett  the  second.  Public 
meetings,  carefully  planned,  were  held  monthly, 
and  rarely  failed  of  a  good  attendance  and  genu- 
ine interest.  The  papers  by  faculty  and  students 
were  prepared  w^ith  care  and  commanded  respect- 
ful attention. 

The  special  work  along  astronomical  lines  has 
brought  large  fruitage.  Under  Professor  Brack- 
ett's  inspiration  the  club  early  undertook  to  raise 
money  with  which  to  establish  an  astronomical 
observatory.  The  telescope  came,  and  then  its 
mounting,  crude  indeed  at  first,  but  of  practical 
value.  In  due  time  came  the  beautiful  Observa- 
tory with  its  facilities,  and  finally  the  Astronom- 
ical Society  with  its  "publication."  We  quote 
from  this :  ' '  The  meetings  of  this  society  will  af- 
ford an  opportunity  for  students  and  teachers  to 
bring  to  other  members  of  the  society  reports  of 
their  work.  For  residents  of  Claremont,  gradu- 
ates of  the  college  and  others  who  have  become 
interested  in  astronomy,  the  meetings  of  the  so- 

[  348  ]       . 


POMONA  ORGANIZATIONS 

ciety  afford  an  opportunity  for  the  discussion  of 
astronomical  subjects,  new  and  old,  which  are  for 
any  reason  of  special  interest.  At  the  formal 
monthly  meetings  of  the  society  a  program  of 
prepared  addresses  is  given,  the  speakers  being 
chosen  sometimes  from  the  astronomy  classes, 
sometimes  from  the  faculty,  while  now  and  then 
an  astronomer  from  abroad  is  secured  for  a  lec- 
ture. There  will  be  accomplished  the  enlarging  of 
interest  in  science,  the  encouraging  of  observa- 
tion, and  the  reading  of  astronomical  literature. 
Not  the  least  among  the  objects  of  the  society 
is  the  moral  and  material  support  of  the 
Observatory." 

This  society  has  both  active  and  honorary  mem- 
bers, and  its  membership  is  not  confined  to  those 
connected  with  the  College.  The  very  cordial  co- 
operation of  the  astronomers  connected  with  the 
observatory  on  Mount  Wilson  is  of  great  value  in 
many  ways.  The  number  and  the  character  of  the 
addresses  given  before  this  society,  and  through 
it  before  the  student  body  and  the  conmiunity, 
are  counted  as  a  valuable  help. 

In  1004  the  Science  Club  revised  its  constitu- 
ticm,  and  commenced  to  divide  its  work  under  the 
form  of  seminars,  which  arc  really  supplemental 
to  classroom  work.  Two  seminars  were  founded, 
The  Pomona  College  Biological  Scmiiinr  and  The 
Pomona  (Jollege  S(!minar  in  Matlioiiialics  and 
Physical  Sciences,  the  latter  subsequently  assum- 

[  3i!)  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ing  the  name  ''The  Pomona  College  Society  of 
Pure  and  Applied  Mathematics."  According  to 
the  new  constitution  the  Science  Club  now  con- 
sists of  the  associated  seminars  of  the  College. 
The  officers  of  the  seminars  constitute  a  govern- 
ing board  of  the  Science  Club.  The  president  of 
the  Club  is  the  director  of  one  of  the  seminars, 
each  seminar  in  turn  furnishing  a  president  of 
the  Club.  Five  union  meetings  open  to  the  public 
are  held  annually. 

Membership  in  the  Science  Club  is  limited  to 
upper-class  men  and  members  of  the  faculty  who 
are  especially  interested  in  the  lines  of  work 
taken  up  in  the  seminars.  Its  general  purpose  is 
unchanged,  its  object  being  to  promote  interest 
in  science  among  the  students,  and  to  bring  to 
their  attention  items  of  special  interest,  particu- 
larly recent  investigations  and  discoveries.  A 
high  grade  of  work  is  demanded  in  the  seminars, 
and  the  papers  show  much  painstaking.  The  reg- 
ular meetings  are  now  held  on  alternate  weeks. 

With  newer  professors  comes  greatly  added 
strength  to  these  seminars,  and  new  ones  already 
have  been  started.  ''Der  Deutsche  Verein"  has 
for  some  years  been  maintained  by  Professor  Bis- 
sell,  with  about  thirty  members,  who  are  enjoying 
advanced  reading  in  German.  They  occasionally 
produce  a  play  in  German.  ''Le  Cercle  Fran- 
cais"  and  ''Circulo  Espanol,"  under  Professor 
Jones,  give  like  advantages  in  French  and  Span- 

[350] 


POMONA  ORGANIZATIONS 

isli.  Professor  Spalding  has  been  instrumental  in 
organizing  the  ''Literature  Seminar,"  which  is 
bringing  out  scholarly  work  on  the  part  of  the 
faculty. 

These  organizations,  made  up  of  students  and 
faculty  members,  include  over  a  hundred  students 
and  twenty  teachers.  Hence  they  must  be  a  fac- 
tor in  the  college  life,  and  so  in  the  college  prod- 
uct. But  the  product,  the  sort  of  men  and  women 
the  College  turns  out,  is  the  final  test  of  the  Col- 
lege. The  College  puts  its  own  brand  on  its  grad- 
uates. It  is  known  and  judged  not  so  much  by  the 
process  of  making  as  by  the  thing  made.  A  bril- 
liant president  may  give  prominence  and  repu- 
tation to  an  institution  for  the  time  being; 
specialists  in  its  faculty  may  have  a  wide  repute ; 
numbers  may  flock  to  it,  and  it  may  even  have  a 
waiting-list;  but  notwithstanding  one  or  all  of 
these  facts,  only  as  its  average  product  is  of  high 
grade  does  the  college,  in  the  long  run,  acquire 
an  enviable  reputation. 

On  this  fact  rests  the  prominence  justly  given 
to  the  alumni  association.  This  is  the  great  col- 
lege organization.  Here  the  tinsel  is  cast  off,  and 
the  r(!al  lionor  men  and  women  stand  forth  and 
])(!ar  aloft  IIk;  coiU'ge  banner,  jjoyalty  and  liclp- 
iulnesH  appear  here  in  their  ricliness,  and  llic 
banner  is  borne  on  to  assured  achievenu'iit.  Kvei-y 
Ktiidcnt  in  college  days  shows  his  loyalty,  fidelity 
and  h('lprulu(!H« — in  IIk;  classroom,   in   his  soci- 

[  3131  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ety  or  club — or  he  fails  to  sliow  it  and  is  an  in- 
cumbrance, or  worse.  This  loyalty  in  every 
situation  is  too  often  overlooked.  At  the  same 
time,  loyaltj^,  fidelity  and  helpfulness  in  the 
alumni  association  mean  vastly  more,  and  are  far 
more  potent,  than  in  current  college  activities. 
Character  formed  in  the  typical  college,  in  after 
life  bears  the  college  brand;  it  is  the  ripe  result 
and  fruitage  of  the  college  life.  Loyalty  is  an 
essential  element  of  character  thus  formed.  It  is 
in  reality  the  spontaneous  outflow  of  gratitude  to 
one's  Alma  Mater.  Failure  here  is  like  failure 
to  one's  parents;  it  is  pure  degeneracy,  and  the 
one  who  fails  not  only  brings  opprobrium  on  his 
college,  but  will  in  the  end  reveal  himself  in  his 
selfishness,  or,  withdrawing  into  his  shell,  shrink 
into  obscurity. 

Every  graduate  of  Pomona  knows,  or  ought  to 
know,  that,  as  business  men  would  reckon  it,  his 
alma  mater  has  given  him  in  the  strategic  years 
of  his  life,  at  the  lowest  possible  reckoning,  five 
hundred  dollars  toward  his  education.  But  the 
money  value  represents  but  the  least  of  his  obli- 
gations. Surely  no  alumnus  thinks  this  college  is 
carried  on  in  a  self-seeking  or  even  in  a  for- 
mal and  perfunctory  manner.  Verily  no.  The 
amount  of  personal  interest,  anxious  thought,  real 
sacrifice,  one  has  cost  teachers,  even  the  teacher 
one  may  like  the  least,  would  be  a  surprise  to  the 
average  student.    Some,  as  they  have  themselves 

[352] 


POMONA  ORGANIZATIONS 

come  into  tlie  role  of  teacher,  have  begun  to  ap- 
preciate it;  others,  as  parents,  know  something 
of  what  it  is  to  be  in  loco  parentis.  To  be  unmind- 
ful of  one 's  obligations  and  forget  Pomona  is  cer- 
tainly not  to  be  expected;  it  is  not  a  legitimate 
product  of  her  enterprise;  it  does  not  bear  her 
brand.  Obviously  there  are  not  many  who  do  not 
show  loyalty  for  Pomona. 

Pomona  is  proud  of  her  Alumni  Association, 
proud  of  her  alumni,  her  ' '  greatest  asset. ' '  This 
association  is  alive,  active  and  far-reaching  in  its 
devising  and  in  its  execution  on  her  behalf.  On 
the  financial  side,  as  has  been  incidentally  seen, 
it  is  strong.  And  yet  here  is  by  no  means  its 
greatest  efficiency.  In  gathering  up  the  graduates 
into  its  membership,  and  thus  maintaining  and 
giving  expression  to  their  loyalty,  it  is  a  power. 
Its  annual  meetings  are  invaluable  in  renewing 
old  associations  and  forming  new  ties,  in  receiv- 
ing the  new  classes  and  recognizing  the  common 
brotherhood  of  all  classes.  The  annual  banquets, 
whose  attendants  are  now  counted  in  hundi-eds, 
are  great  occasions,  overflowing  with  good  fellow- 
ship and  stimulating  to  high  endeavor.  It  is  a 
joy  to  drop  business  for  a  day,  if  need  be  to  cut 
out  som(f  gratification,  in  honor  of  Alma  Plater. 
I^ivcry  aluniiuiH  goes  ])ack  to  work  from  such  a 
fi^ast  willi  ;i  (|iilck'('ii('(|  sense  of  lox'e  ;iii(|  de\(>t  ioii, 
and  fii'e(l  with  a  new  /eal  lor  lielprnliiess  in  life's 
work.     'J'iiis  Poniorui.  spiiii  ()V(!rllows  to  the  stu- 

[  :\:>:\  j 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

dents  met  by  the  way,  and  to  possible  new 
students. 

But  the  good  fellowship  and  expression  of  loy- 
alty are  not  all.  There  are  working  forces  issuing 
from  this  association  in  the  form  of  committees 
formally  appointed,  and  in  self-appointed  com- 
mittees. Much  time  and  thought  are  all  along 
directed  toward  Pomona.  Plans  are  proposed, 
the  outgrowth  of  experience,  which  work  out  an 
advance  in  one  direction  and  another.  It  is  due 
not  a  little  to  this  influence  that  class  reunions  are 
so  well  attended. 

Thus  it  is  seen  that  the  red  blood  of  the  loyal 
student,  the  real  life  of  the  College,  as  the  years 
go  by  flows  more  freely  in  the  alumnus.  It  is  good 
to  know  that  not  alone  in  home  gatherings  are 
these  collective  influences  felt.  Terra  Toma 
Bands,  or  Pomona  College  Clubs,  are  found  in 
Berkeley,  Stanford,  Ventura,  San  Diego,  New 
England  and  New  York;  and  in  Los  Angeles  are 
two,  one  of  men  and  one  of  women.  The  gradu- 
ate who  travels  will  be  greeted  by  fellow  alumni 
in  China,  Korea,  Japan,  Turkey,  and  in  Mexico. 


[354] 


CHAPTER  XXV 

POMONA  PUBLICATIONS 
It  is  said  that  President  Harper  rarely  met  his 
faculty  officially  without  making  some  reference 
to  productiveness  on  the  part  of  the  teacher.  By 
this  he  meant  the  careful  product  of  thought  and 
pen,  in  magazine  articles  and  books.  President 
Hadley,  too,  has  particularly  emphasized  the  im- 
portance of  the  institution's  periodicals.  This  is 
perhaps  a  matter  of  greater  moment  in  a  univer- 
sity, where  research  work  is  made  a  specialty, 
than  in  a  college.  Nevertheless  it  must  have  a 
measure  of  importance  in  the  college.  The  col- 
lege dependent  on  benevolence,  especially  in  its 
early  years,  is  apt  to  work  its  teachers  so  that 
they  have  neither  time  nor  strength  for  much  pro- 
ductivity of  this  sort.  At  the  same  time,  the 
student  publications,  and  those  to  which  the  fac- 
ulty and  ahimni  contribute,  all  breathe  the  atmos- 
phere and  cannot  fail  to  reflect  the  mental  and 
moral  activity  of  any  institution. 

A  scholar  of  wide  repute,  in  touch  with  national 
educational  circles,  first  had  his  attention  at- 
tracted to  Pomona  by  means  of  its  periodicals. 
These  seemed  to  him  of  exceptional  character  for 
so  young  and  small  a  college.    Following  up  his 

[355] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

impressions,  he  found  that  the  report  of  the  gov- 
ernmental expert  had  placed  her  in  every  depart- 
ment in  the  first  class. 

The  stages  of  the  development  of  these  publica- 
tions are  so  distinctly  marked  that  it  should  not 
be  difficult  to  follow  the  process. 

Pomona's  first  publication  was  ''The  Pomona 
Student,"  two  years  afterward  renamed  the 
''Student  Life."  It  was  established  during  the 
second  college  year.  The  two  societies,  literary 
and  debating,  under  the  direction  of  the  faculty, 
elected  the  editors.  The  members  of  the  faculty 
supervised  it  for  two  years,  but  with  the  recogni- 
tion of  distinct  college  classes  the  faculty  with- 
drew from  its  oversight.  Beginning  as  a  four- 
page  monthly,  in  newspaper  form,  it  was  changed 
to  a  twelve-page  monthly,  in  semi-magazine  form, 
under  the  new  name,  then  to  an  eight-page 
weekly,  and  later  to  a  sixteen-page  weekly — all 
within  seven  years.  In  1913  it  began  to  be  issued 
semi-weekly  in  newspaper  form,  with  monthly 
numbers  under  different  editors  in  semi-maga- 
zine form.  An  annual  supplement  called  "Pot 
Pourri"  was  published  for  two  years. 

There  have  been  numerous  other  outward 
changes,  but  the  more  important  ones  have  been 
in  the  substance,  the  variety  and  the  style  of  con- 
tents. Strength  came  not  only  with  an  increasing 
number  of  students;  it  came  even  more  with  expe- 
rience.   The  editors  drew  from  their. jovrjx  experi- 

.[-356;] 


POMONA  PUBLICATIONS 

ence,  and  also  from  that  of  the  paper  and  from 
that  of  the  College.  Happily  the  editors  came  to 
be  chosen  by  the  whole  student  body.  Thus  the 
personality  of  the  College,  embodying  its  history, 
spirit  and  atmosphere,  is  reflected  in  the  maga- 
zine. Its  growth  as  a  periodical,  therefore,  is 
commensurate  with  the  growth  and  development 
of  the  College.  It  has  been  "filled  with  the 
thoughts,  the  feelings,  yes,  the  action  of  the  stu- 
dents," and  is  not  simply  an  echo  of  the  person- 
ality of  the  editors. 

The  magazine  was  self-supporting  from  the 
first,  but  became  financially  involved  in  connec- 
tion with  an  idealistic  ''publishing  company,"  so 
that  its  development  was  checked  for  a  time.  The 
alumni  assumed  the  debt,  and  with  the  whole  in- 
come free  to  expend  on  the  magazine  the  improve- 
ment went  forward  rapidly.  With  its  improve- 
ment its  influence  increased,  and  it  has  become  a 
publication  in  every  way  creditable  to  Pomona. 
Noticeably,  it  is  taking  a  broader  and  better  con- 
sidered view  of  the  college  interests,  and  api)eals 
more  strongly  to  the  leaders  of  thought  and  action 
as  the  years  go  by.  This  is  seen  in  the  new  depart- 
numts  add(Hl  froin  time  to  time,  and  the  wider 
range  of  vision  in  llui  magazine  as  a  whole,  and 
is  reflect('(l  in  ilic  editorials  and  comnninicalious. 
'^rhe  space  given  lo  tiie  lileraiy  department  once 
a  rnonlli  opens  an  avernie  of  expression  and  an 
experi(!nc(!  of  value  to  i\u)  students,     'i'iie  main- 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

taining  of  a  closer  touch  with  the  alumni,  too,  is 
a  real  gain.  Expert  reports  of  music  rendered 
and  of  departmental  papers  and  lectures  add  to 
its  effectiveness.  Some  of  the  faculty  and  alumni 
who  have  the  right  to  judge  affirm  that  the  '  *  Stu- 
dent Life ' '  does  more  than  any  other  one  thing  to 
mold  judgment  and  to  influence  opinion  in  the 
College.  This  was  the  first  college  publication 
in  Southern  California,  and  the  second  in  the 
State. 

The  first  annual  of  the  junior  class,  called  the 
''Speculum,"  was  brought  out  by  the  class  of 
1895  during  the  last  term  of  the  first  college  class. 
Successive  issues  have  followed  regularly,  each 
one  vyang  with  those  going  before,  until  the  pub- 
lication, in  both  size  and  make-up,  is  very  pleas- 
ing and  satisfying,  and  compares  favorably  with 
similar  publications  in  institutions  much  larger 
than  Pomona.  Some  of  the  earlier  classes  were 
small,  but  each  issued  a  commendable  volume.  It 
meant  hard  work,  and  showed  a  degree  of  loyalty 
and  class  spirit  of  which  the  College  well  may 
feel  proud.  Nor  has  there  been  any  lack  in  sub- 
sequent years. 

The  class  of  1904  greatly  increased  the  size  of 
the  book,  and  it  has  since  been  further  enlarged. 
It  is  hoped  that  by  tacit  agreement  it  will  be  de- 
cidedly Indian  in  its  character  every  fourth  year. 

Finding  that  the  name  "Speculum"  had  been 
appropriated  already  by  two  colleges,  the  class  of 

[358] 


POMONA  PUBLICATIONS 

1896  changed  it  to  * '  Metate, ' '  an  Indian  word  for 
mortar  or  grinding-stone,  which  has  been  retained 
by  subsequent  classes.  While  the  name  has  an  evi- 
dent appropriateness,  it  may  give  the  wrong  im- 
pression of  the  publication.  ^' Grind,"  in  college 
slang,  is  a  technical  term;  ''grinding"  is  by  no 
means  so  limited  a  term.  There  are  expected  to 
be  good-natured  ''grinds"  in  the  "Metate";  but 
it  represents  incomparably  more  "grinding,"  in 
the  work  of  preparing  the  pabulum  of  the  college 
activities  and  happenings  for  mental  enjoyment 
and  stimulus.  The  editors  are  held  in  honor,  and 
elected  each  year  by  the  junior  class.  Their  work 
is  done  secretly  until  the  volume  is  ready  to  be 
issued. 

The  issuance  of  the  "Metate"  is  always  spec- 
tacular, and  appeals  strongly  to  the  college  spirit. 
It  is  preceded,  by  some  little  time,  by  the  junior 
farce,  the  proceeds  of  which  help  to  pay  the  cost 
of  the  volume.  At  times  in.  the  past  attempts  to 
thwart  the  juniors'  well-laid  plans  have  created 
not  a  little  excitement.  In  the  morning  of  the  im- 
f)ortant  day,  a  v(!ry  marked  demonstration  is 
mad(^  In  191.'>  a  ])arty  of  wild  Tudiaiis,  ])erittingly 
mf)unted,  Inwndod  the  town  soon  after  daybreak, 
racing  througli  tlie  streets  brandishing  their 
weapons  and  giving  Hh;  war-wiioop  at  every  turn. 
Tlie  jnnioi-H  finally  Mpjx'.'ir  at  cliapcl  in  while 
regalia,  nnd  at  the  close  of  (lie  exercises  the  "Me- 
tate" is  found  on  Bale  in  liie  public  hall. 

[  359  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Each  number  of  the  publication  is  dedicated  to 
some  teacher  or  other  person  intimately  con- 
nected with  the  College.  College  experiences  fur- 
nish a  fine  field  for  pen  and  pencil.  To  portray 
sketchily  and  vividly  the  multiplied  and  varied 
experiences  of  the  year  is  an  art  which  calls  forth 
the  best  that  is  in  any  class.  Class  loyalty  is 
strong.  Thus  every  class  is  put  on  its  mettle  to 
make  in  this  portrayal  through  the  * '  Metate ' '  the 
best  possible  showing  in  comprehensiveness,  orig- 
inality, brightness,  and  perfection  of  form.  It  is 
always  recognized  that  the  paper  must  be  con- 
sistent with  fairness  and  truth.  There  is  no 
tolerance  of  unkindness  or  of  partisanship,  but 
student  body  and  faculty  afford  a  fair  field  with 
no  favor. 

Taken  together,  the  successive  **Metates"  af- 
ford the  very  best  sources  of  history  of  the  col- 
lege life  from  the  students'  viewpoint,  provided 
one  is  in  close  enough  sympathy  with  that  life  to 
read  between  the  lines  and  fairly  interpret  facts 
and  incidents.  The  relation  of  "Metate"  to  Alma 
Mater  is  happily  interpreted  in  the  following  quo- 
tation: "All  the  past  year  we  have  watched  you 
in  your  varying  moods  and  tenses,  first  in  the  ex- 
citement and  novelty  of  a  new  year,  then  amidst 
the  quiet  seriousness  of  the  Aveek  of  prayer  and 
the  strong  impulse  of  a  new  ambition;  in  the 
steady,  persistent  grind  of  college  work  and  in 
the  joyous  gayety  of  your  holiday  humor;  ever 

[360] 


POMONA  PUBLICATIONS 

and  always  enthusiastic  and  whole-hearted.  Not 
as  outsiders  have  we  looked,  but  our  pulses  have 
thrilled  and  our  voices  have  rung  out  with  the 
most  spirited  in  the  quick  and  eager '  Vive  la,  vive 
la  Pomona!'  As  a  class  in  the  very  heart  of  the 
college  course  we  look  back  over  three  years  spent 
in  these  sacred  precincts  'neath  the  sway  of  the 
blue  and  white.  Is  it  strange  then  that  with  will- 
ing hand  we  draw  back  the  curtain  to  give,  as 
truthfully  and  helpfully  and  pleasingly  as  we  best 
may,  our  revelation  of  the  inner  life  of  the 
college?" 

The  first  departmental  periodical  was  issued  by 
the  department  of  biology.  It  started  under  the 
combined  efforts  of  Professors  Cook  and  Baker. 
Professor  Baker  always  had  some  students  who 
did  research  work.  As  a  consequence  he  had  on 
hand  papers  prepared  with  care,  papers  of  practi- 
cal value,  which  for  the  sake  of  the  public  as  well 
as  for  the  sake  of  the  students,  might  well  be  pub- 
lished. Professor  Cook,  through  his  own  interest 
in  horticulture  and  his  many  years  of  Farmers' 
Institute  work,  had  a  wide  acquaintance  with  the 
horticulturists  in  tliis  part  of  the  State  and  read- 
ily secured  financial  aid. 

The  first  number  of  the  ''Pomona  College  Jour- 
nal of  Entomology"  was  issued  in  1909,  with 
I'cofeHsor  I>akc!r  as  managing  editor.  The 
".J()iirn;il"  Iimh  a  \vi(|(^  excliatigc  list,  rcaciiiug  into 
foreign    counti-icH,    and    lias   been    noliccd    widely 

[  -i^l  ] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

and  favorably.  Some  of  the  students'  contribu- 
tions have  brought  the  offer  of  scholarships  from 
different  universities.  While  the  contributions 
are  largely  b)'  present  students  and  alumni,  arti- 
cles are  occasionally  written  by  professors,  and 
by  graduate  students  of  other  colleges. 

The  ''Journal"  deals  primarily  with  parasitic 
and  predacious  insects  of  economic  importance  in 
Southern  California.  Several  of  the  more  noted 
pests  of  the  orchards  have  been  treated  scientific- 
ally and  exhaustively,  particularly  plant  lice  and 
scale,  and  three  ''alarming  pests" — the  mealy 
bug,  the  red  scale  and  the  Mexican  orange  mag- 
got— have  had  special  practical  consideration. 
The  "Journal"  has  been  of  substantial  value  to 
Southern  California,  while  as  an  avenue  of  pub- 
lication and  a  stimulus  to  the  students  it  is  cer- 
tainly helpful.  During  1912  Professor  Baker  was 
sole  editor.  The  editorship  now  falls  on  Profes- 
sor Hilton,  who  was  influenced  in  his  decision  to 
return  to  Pomona  by  the  field  opened  to  him 
through  the  publication  of  the  "Journal."  He 
enters  upon  the  work  with  much  enthusiasm,  and 
the  numbers  he  has  published  indicate  that  there 
will  be  no  falling  off  in  the  interest  and  value  of 
the  publication  while  it  is  in  his  hands.  The  name 
has  been  changed  by  Professor  Hilton  to  the 
"Journal  of  Entomology  and  Zoology." 

Two  years  after  the  first  issue  of  the  "Journal 
of  Entomology,"  "The  Pomona  College  Journal 

[362] 


POMONA  PUBLICATIONS 

of  Economic  Botany"  appeared,  under  Professor 
Baker's  management.  This  publication  also  ap- 
pealed to  the  orchardists,  and  was  financed  at 
first  by  the  citrus  fruit  exchanges  and  a  few  indi- 
viduals. A  number  of  very  practical  articles  have 
been  published  in  it,  which  have  had  a  wide  cir- 
culation. Among  them  are  one  on  ' '  The  Die-back 
of  Citrus  Fruits,"  one  on  "The  Avocado  Indus- 
try" and  one  on  "The  Mango  in  Southern  Cali- 
fornia." Other  valuable  articles  are  on  "Aca- 
cias," "Trees  for  Southern  California  Avenues," 
"Plans  and  Plants  for  Small  Places,"  and  "A 
Botanic  Garden  for  Southern  California."  This 
journal,  too,  seems  to  fill  a  need  of  this  region,  as 
well  as  to  open  to  students  an  opportunity  for 
publication.  It  has  a  very  extensive  exchange  list. 
Professor  Heath  has  continued  its  publication 
with  acceptance. 

In  the  same  year  appeared  also  the  "Publica- 
tion of  the  Astronomical  Society  of  Pomona  Col- 
lege," of  which  Professor  Brackett  is  editor.  The 
widespread  interest  in  the  Observatory,  its  well- 
known  connection  with  the  Mount  Wilson  Solar 
Observatory  through  the  fraternization  of  the 
ofTiccrs  of  tlie  two  institutions,  Professor  Brack- 
ett's  growing  interest  and  repuiaiion  in  astro- 
nomical matters,  tlie  commanding  intcrcsi  ol"  llic 
Pomona  Coll(!g(»  AHtrononiical  Society,  togctlier 
willi  tlH»  needs  of  i\u\  ()l)S('rvatory,  n'udered  tliis 
I>nl)iication     ({uite     nrcM'ssary.      It     is     u     rocog- 

[  :m  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

nized  feature  of  Pomona,  and  is  already  self- 
supporting. 

Interest  in  its  issues  was  accentuated  by  the  ap- 
pointment of  Professor  Brackett  to  accompany 
Dr.  Abbott,  director  of  the  Astrophysical  Observ- 
atory of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  on  the  astro- 
nomical expedition  to  Algeria  for  the  purpose  of 
making  some  special  observations  and  measure- 
ments of  the  sun's  heat.  The  general  aim  was  to 
compare  these  measurements  with  those  made  on 
Mount  Wilson  and  Mount  Whitney  as  data  for 
investigating  the  variation  in  radiation  of  solar 
energy  and  heat,  with  possibly  important  conclu- 
sions as  to  the  effect  on  the  climatic  conditions  of 
the  earth.  This  appointment  of  Professor  Brack- 
ett was  felt  to  bring  Pomona  into  closer  relations 
with  astronomers  and  astronomical  proceedings 
all  over  the  world.  The  pages  of  the  "Publica- 
tion" so  far  have  been  rich  in  accounts  of  the 
doings  of  the  astronomical  world  and  all  astro- 
nomical matters  of  passing  interest,  in  contribu- 
tions from  Professor  Adams  of  Mount  Wilson 
Solar  Observatory,  Professors  Brackett  and  Wil- 
liams and  Mr.  Whitney  of  Pomona,  and  in  articles 
of  rare  excellence  from  the  students. 

A  publication  of  no  little  moment  is  ''The  Po- 
mona College  Bulletin. ' '  This  includes  primarily, 
as  one  of  its  issues,  the  annual  catalogue  with  its 
supplements.  The  other  numbers  are  of  varying 
interest  and  importance.    Of  permanent  value  are 

[364] 


POMONA  PUBLICATIONS 

sucli  issues  as  ''The  Pomona  College  Campus," 
'*A  Man's  Life  at  Pomona,"  ''Register  of  Non- 
Graduates,"  "Bulletin  of  1907,"  "Bulletin  of 
1910,"  and  "Pomona  after  Twenty  Years";  also 
the  "Report  of  the  President  to  the  Friends  of 
Pomona  College."  Every  year  produces  some 
fresh  and  valuable  "Bulletins." 

The  "Pomona  College  Quarterly  Magazine" 
has  just  appeared,  with  Professor  Churchill  as 
editor-in-chief,  and  an  advisory  board  consisting 
of  Miss  Alice  M.  Parker,  Miss  Edna  L.  Roof  and 
Mr.  Ralph  J.  Reed  for  the  alumni,  and  Professor 
Spalding  and  Professor  Williams  for  the  College. 
The  first  number  was  taken  up  with  reports  of  the 
twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  the  incorporation  of 
the  College,  which  are  of  great  interest  and  pro- 
found significance  to  all  the  friends  of  Pomona. 
The  second  number  has  a  wide  range  of  articles 
from  members  of  the  faculty  and  from  alumni, 
and  a  fund  of  information  for  those  interested  in 
college  matters,  all  of  which  gives  promise  of  an 
indispensable  magazine. 

Verily,  it  should  be  the  supreme  expression  of 
the  College,  a  happy  medium  of  communication, 
not  only  of  facts  but  of  ideas,  among  the  alumni 
themHclves  and  bcitween  th«;  ahinini  and  the  Col- 
logo,  as  well  as  between  the  College  and  the  out- 
side world.  Its  colunms  should  be  open  to  the 
free  discussion  of  the  general  educational  ques- 
tions of  the  day,  and  especially  to  tho  important 

[365] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

home  questions  that  come  up  in  connection  with 
the  growth  and  development  of  the  College.  It  is 
to  be  hoped  that  some  personal  experience  will  be 
found  here,  with  corrected  judgments  that  have 
come  with  a  wider  participation  in  the  activities 
of  graduate  life.  The  opportunities  and  demands 
of  the  outside  world  will  doubtless  here  be  ex- 
ploited. But  above  all  else  this  magazine  must 
breathe  the  atmosphere  of  the  loving  loyalty  of 
children  to  their  Alma  Mater. 


[366] 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

FINANCIAL  HELPERS 

Pomona  had  from  the  first  the  advice  and  coop- 
eration of  the  Congregational  Education  Society. 
Very  early  she  began  to  feel  the  strength  of  its 
helping  hand.  More  and  more  as  the  years  passed 
was  this  helpfulness  realized,  not  only  in  gifts  of 
money,  but  also  in  the  confidence  which  came 
from  the  Society's  endorsement.  The  money  con- 
tributions have  been  by  no  means  small,  and  they 
have  come  at  critical  junctures,  so  that  they  have 
done  double  service ;  while  that  steady,  persistent 
endorsement,  both  public  and  private,  which 
means  so  much  to  Congregationalists,  has  given 
courage  and  hope  in  the  darkest  days. 

The  remark  has  been  heard  often  that  * '  no  Con- 
gregational college  ever  failed."  If  the  influence 
of  these  colleges  may  fairly  be  traced  far  and 
wide  in  the  Christian  civilization  of  the  country, 
in  the  loyalty  shown  to  its  cherished  institutions, 
and  in  the  evangelization  of  oilier  countries,  what 
a  nf)hle  tribute  does  it  constitute  to  the  society 
wliieli  lias  fostered  them  so  zealously  and  so 
wisely!  All  honor  to  this  gi-and  old  society  which 
is  doing  kucIi  a  strong  and  inagnihcent  work.  Po- 
mona Is  prol'ounilly  grateful  to  it  for  ail  (he  help 

L  'MM  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

she  has  received,  and  pledges  to  it  her  loyalty  and 
affection,  and  the  return  to  Christian  civilization, 
through  her  children,  of  full  value  with  interest 
compounded. 

The  very  wide  range  and  intensity  of  interest 
taken  in  a  young  Christian  college,  to  one  who  has 
not  given  the  matter  serious  and  intelligent 
thought,  is  amazing.  The  names  of  those  who 
have  made  contribution  to  Pomona — personally, 
through  churches,  Sunday  schools.  Young  Peo- 
ple's Societies,  and  other  organizations — would 
run  up  far  into  the  thousands.  Many  of  these 
givers  in  large  groups  have  known  little  more 
than  the  name  and  the  character  of  the  institution. 
But  the  recorded  names  of  individual  givers  are 
more  than  one  thousand.  Even  the  list  of  those 
known  to  have  made  real  sacrifice  for  the  College 
is  a  long  one.  Possibly,  too,  Pomona  has  not  the 
name  of  the  one  who,  in  the  Master's  eye,  has 
given  more  than  any  other.  Still  further,  possibly 
the  leverage  which  has  done  most  to  lift  the  Col- 
lege to  higher  attainments  has  been  applied  by 
one  who  had  no  money  to  give. 

To  a  Christian  the  sense  of  consecration  to  a 
purpose  is  sacred.  It  has  more  than  money 
value.  Consecrated  gifts  are  not  generally  ex- 
ploited, but  they  sometimes  come  to  be  kno^\m  in- 
cidentally. * '  The  Student  Life ' '  says :  ' '  There  is 
such  a  thing  as  consecrated  money.  When  the  lit- 
tle   boy    scarcely  entering  into  his  teens  gives 

[368] 


FINANCIAL  HELPERS 

twenty-five  dollars  of  money  to  Pomona,  earned 
by  picking  berries  and  marketing  tliem,  because 
his  Christian  father  tells  him  what  a  Christian 
college  means,  that  money  is  consecrated.  When 
Sunday-school  classes  give  of  their  mites  to  raise 
fifty  dollars,  because  their  teacher  has  stirred 
their  hearts  and  brought  them  into  sympathy 
with  the  work,  that,  too,  is  consecrated  money. 
When  a  Christian  business  man,  whose  own 
church  is  worshiping  in  a  shell  upon  leased 
ground  and  long  has  needed  a  new  building,  says, 
'Wait;  I  must  give  two  thousand  dollars  to  Po- 
mona College  this  year,'  that  is  consecrated 
money. ' ' 

Another  instance  is  cited  among  many  more 
which  might  be  mentioned.  A  Christian  physi- 
cian, learning  through  an  old  army  comrade  of  an 
effort  to  endow  a  professorship  of  Biblical  litera- 
ture in  Pomona,  voluntarily  drew  his  check  for 
the  bounty  received  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Civil 
War  thirty  years  before,  which  he  had  kept  as  a 
sacred  and  separate  investment,  and  gave  this  me- 
morial of  his  army  life  toward  that  endowment. 
Such  side-lights  from  time  to  time  give  a  glimpse 
of  somo  of  tlio  sourc(!H  wlicnce  come  the  means  by 
wliich  the  (J()ll(!g(!  is  maintained.  It  is  not  sur- 
[)i'iHing  that  those  in  aniliority  feel  the  sacredness 
of  tlicir  Inist,  and  aic  proiiipl*''!  jo  wnlcli  ciwo- 
riilly  lest  this  money  be  spciil,  lavishly  or  iiiind- 
viscdly.     Jn   lliis  light  it   is  du(!   to  l\w  cause  of 

L  ;u;i)  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

Christian  education,  more  than  to  the  individual 
givers  or  their  friends,  even  at  the  risk  of  leaving 
unnoticed  certain  persons  whose  spirit  and  deeds 
would  merit  mention,  to  call  to  mind  the  names 
of  some  not  related  officially  to  the  College,  who 
have  been  specially  helpful. 

If  one  were  to  begin  specifying  the  particular 
friends  of  the  College  in  the  Pilgrim  Church  of 
Pomona,  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  stopping 
place.  And  yet  a  few  names  are  written  so  large 
on  the  historic  page  that  they  cannot  be  passed 
by.  At  the  close  of  the  second  of  the  public 
church  services  which  led  up  to  Pilgrim  Church, 
where  the  idea  of  the  College  was  first  promul- 
gated, Mr.  D.  L.  Davenport  was  the  first  to  come 
forward  and  make  a  pledge.  He  was  then  living 
in  a  barn,  but  he  promised  five  hundred  dollars, 
and  promptly  paid  it.  It  was  not  by  any  means 
the  only  time  that  he  has  volunteered  his  gifts. 

Dr.  B.  S.  Nichols,  too,  and  his  family  are  promi- 
nent both  in  the  earlier  and  the  later  history  of 
the  College.  How  many  times  did  Dr.  Nichols 
speak  the  word  and  bestow  the  gift  that  gave  new 
courage  and  hope  in  the  darkest  days  of  Po- 
mona's history!  Never  was  appeal  made  to  him 
in  vain.  The  same  story  of  helpful  interest,  in 
other  ways  as  well  as  in  money,  might  be  told  of 
Mrs.  Nichols  and  other  members  of  the  family. 

As  connected  by  marriage  with  this  family, 
Mrs.  Loraine  H.  Paige  should  be  remembered. 

[370] 


FINANCIAL  HELPERS 

Then,  too,  there  is  the  Lorbeer  family;  judged 
from  the  number  of  that  name  on  the  college  cata- 
logues, if  in  no  other  way,  Pomona  has  had  no  bet- 
ter friends.  Again,  there  are  the  names  of  Misses 
Sarah  E.  and  Mary  Wheeler,  whose  prayers  and 
gifts  have  been  ever  going  up  as  memorials  before 
the  Heavenly  Father. 

Thus  family  after  family  and  individual  after 
individual  come  to  mind,  characterized  by  knoAvn 
acts  of  friendliness,  not  the  least  of  which  have 
been  supplications  to  the  Giver  of  all  good,  until 
nearly  the  entire  membership  of  those  early  days 
has  been  passed  in  review. 

Nor  were  the  friends  of  the  College  in  the  city 
of  Pomona  in  the  early  days  limited  to  those  con- 
nected with  the  Pilgrim  Congregational  Church. 
It  would  be  strange  indeed  not  to  mention  Mr.  A. 
T.  Currier  of  the  Baptist  Church,  Mr.  J.  M. 
Mitchell  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  Mr.  G.  H. 
Waters  of  the  Christian  Church,  while  many 
other  names  are  recalled. 

In  this  connection  one  must  emphasize  the  gen- 
erosity of  the  Claremont  Church.  At  first  it  had 
few  families  besides  those  officially  connected 
with  the  College;  but  even  then  its  gifts  to  the  Col- 
lege were  Hur|jrisiiig.  While  weallli,  in  the  mod- 
ern use  of  the  term,  has  found  little  place  in  the 
Church,  nevertheless  the  appeals  in  behalf  of 
Pomona  repeatr^dly  and  always  have  brought 
gifts  which  in  their  fi-ecness  and  largeness  have 

[371] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

amazed  every  one.  To  specify  would  be  to  begin 
with  the  pastor  and  go  right  down  the  catalogue. 
If  almost  any  one  connected  with  Pomona  dur- 
ing the  first  ten  years  were  asked  to  mention  the 
man  most  helpful  to  the  college,  outside  of  the  of- 
ficial family,  the  reply  would  be  unhesitatingly, 
*'Mr.  Thomas  Barrows."  A  minute  of  the  fac- 
ulty at  the  time  of  Mr.  Barrows'  death  voices  a 
comprehensive  appreciation  in  which  all  who 
were  in  a  position  to  judge  would  join:  "In  view 
of  the  death  of  Mr.  Thomas  Barrows,  the  faculty 
of  Pomona  College  wish  to  express  their  deep 
feeling  of  personal  loss ;  their  appreciation  of  the 
many  services  he  has  rendered  to  them  as  indi- 
viduals and  to  the  College  which  he  loved  so  un- 
selfishly ;  and  their  sympathy  for  each  member  of 
the  family  circle.  From  the  first  Mr.  Barrow^s' 
interest  in  all  that  pertained  to  the  welfare  of  the 
College  was  constant,  and  his  personal  efforts  for 
its  good  unceasing.  His  faith  in  that  which  Po- 
mona was  to  do  and  be  is  shown  by  the  fact  that 
he  was  the  first  one  outside  of  Pomona  to  entrust 
his  children  to  its  care,  as  he  was  also  the  first 
to  establish  his  home  in  Claremont  and  become 
a  citizen  of  the  hoped-for  college  town.  Although 
he  had  no  official  connection  with  the  institution, 
it  is  but  true  to  say  that  few  have  given  to  it  more 
of  thought,  of  love  or  help. .  In  darkest  days  his 
faith  never  wavered,  and  by  it  we  have  again  and 
again  been  strengthened..    AVhile  we  must  sorrow 

[372] 


FINANCIAL  HELPERS 

that  so  steadfast  and  loyal  a  friend  has  gone  from 
us,  we  rejoice  in  the  noble  life  that  was  with  us 
and  that  now  ever  liveth  in  the  presence  of  the 
Lord  whose  he  was  and  whom  he  served." 

Another  character,  very  different  but  very 
striking,  is  mentioned  here,  not  for  the  amount  of 
his  pecuniary  gifts,  but  for  his  interest  in,  devo- 
tion to  and  sacrifice  for  the  College — Rev.  Sher- 
lock Bristol.  Mr.  Bristol  had  a  strong,  positive, 
unique  personality.  In  his  frequent  visits  to  Po- 
mona he  always  left  some  token  of  his  self-sacri- 
ficing love,  either  by  prayer  and  counsel  or 
material  gift,  or  both,  making  his  visits  a  quick- 
ening of  faith,  a  renewal  of  hope,  and  a  general 
uplift  to  the  burden-bearing  officers  of  the  institu- 
tion. As  a  token  of  affection  for  ''Father  Bris- 
tol," some  of  his  friends  gave  a  small  memorial 
fund  to  the  college  which  he  so  dearly  loved. 

One  of  the  early  friends  of  Pomona,  and  the 
first  large  giver,  was  Mrs.  Nancy  M.  (Holmes) 
Field  of  Monson,  Massachusetts.  After  the  death 
of  her  husband.  Rev.  Levi  Alphcus  Field,  at  Marl- 
boro, Mrs.  Field  with  her  daughter  returned  to 
her  parental  home  at  Monson  to  care  for  her  par- 
ents. Here  by  reason  of  her  natural  ability,  her 
echication  and  experience,  as  well  as  her  conse- 
crated life,  Kh(Mnad((  Ikm-scH'  useful  to  tlie  church, 
the  .'lendeniy  .-iiid  Hie  eoiiiiiiiiiiity.  Siie  \\;is  a 
woiumh  of  exceptionally  strong,  poHiii\'e  Miid  elVec- 
tiv(;  (;liaract(!r.     Mr.  Sumner,  as  a  teacher  in  tho 

L  -m  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

academy,  and  afterward  as  pastor  of  the  church 
to  which  she  belonged,  for  fifteen  years  was 
brought  into  friendly  relations  with  her.  He 
united  her  daughter  in  marriage  to  Mr.  Harlan 
Page. 

After  Mr.  Sumner 's  removal  from  Monson,  the 
ties  of  friendship  were  kept  warm  and  strong  by 
correspondence,  by  occasional  visits,  and  by  Mrs. 
Field's  interest  in  the  work  in  which  he  was  en- 
gaged and  her  contributions  made  to  it  through 
him.  The  same  sort  of  relation  was  maintained 
with  Mr.  Cyrus  W.  Holmes,  Jr.,  the  brother  of 
Mrs.  Field.  'While  Mr.  Sumner,  with  his  family, 
was  traveling  in  foreign  countries  in  1890  and 
1891,  both  her  father  and  this  brother  died  very 
suddenly  about  the  same  time.  On  his  return  to 
America  Mr.  Sumner  was  detained  by  Mrs.  Sum- 
ner's illness  at  Albany,  New  York,  the  home  of 
her  brother,  and  visited  Monson,  calling  on  both 
families.  Afterward  he  wrote  to  them,  suggest- 
ing the  adoption  of  Pomona  and  the  concentration 
of  their  benevolence  so  as  to  make  it  the  more 
effective.  Still  later  he  spent  another  day  in 
Monson  and  called  on  them.  Nothing  whatever 
was  said  to  Mrs.  Field  about  the  matter  referred 
to  in  the  letter  until  she  herself  mentioned  it  in 
the  hall  as  Mr.  Sumner  had  his  hat  in  hand  to 
leave.  She  then  expressed  her  desire  to  help  Po- 
mona as  she  was  able,  and  herself  suggested  the 
giving  of  five  thousand  dollars  each  year.    When 

[374] 


FINANCIAL  HELPERS 

asked  the  number  of  years,  she  fixed  that  as  ten. 
A  week  or  more  later  she  signed  a  contract  to  give 
fifty  thousand  dollars  on  these  terms.  She  felt 
that  by  giving  in  this  way  she  had  some  measure 
of  protection,  as  she  could  watch  the  development 
of  the  College. 

Mrs.  Sumner,  having  partially  recovered  from 
a  surgical  operation,  was  taken  home.  Mrs.  Field 
about  the  same  time  went  on  a  visit  to  the  home  of 
her  daughter,  Mrs.  Page,  in  Philadelphia,  from 
which  place  she  wrote  to  Mr.  Sumner  asking  per- 
mission to  make  one  or  two  changes  in  the  form 
of  the  contract.  The  document  was  returned  to 
her  for  that  purpose,  and  a  new  contract  came 
back  without  material  alterations,  save  one  sug- 
gested by  Mr.  Sumner.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Field 
occurred  very  soon  after  this. 

Practically  at  the  same  time,  and  intimately 
connected  with  the  contract  from  Mrs.  Field, 
came  the  contract  from  two  members  of  her 
brother's  family,  Mrs.  C.  W.  Holmes,  Jr.,  and 
Miss  Esther  K.  Hohnes.  Mrs.  Holmes,  the  sec- 
ond wife  of  Mr.  Holmes,  was  known  to  Mr.  Sum- 
ner for  a  dozen  years  as  Miss  Sophia  B.  Converse, 
whosf!  home  was  in  the  family  oT  Mr.  Horatio 
I^yon,  elsewhere;  in  this  chapter  referred  to  as  the 
liMsl);ui<l  ()(■  Mi's.  Lyon,  a  fiiciid  of  llic  (\)ll<'g('. 
Mr.  Siiriirier  Joined  Mr.  mikI  Mrs.  Jioliiics  (liien 
Miss  (/orivcrsc)  in  inai-riagc,  and  was  a  rrtMiucnt 
visitor  in  (licir  lionif.    There  are  few  more  genial, 

[  :i75  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

more  conscientious,  more  unselfish  and  more  ef- 
ficient women  in  the  home,  in  the  church  and  in 
society  than  was  Mrs.  Hohnes.  Her  stepdaughter, 
Avho  grew  up  and  united  with  the  church  during 
Mr.  Sumner 's  pastorate,  was  deprived  of  this  sec- 
ond mother  not  very  long  after  the  death  of  her 
father,  and  has  since  developed  a  largeness  and 
strength  of  womanhood  in  the  use  of  a  fortune 
that  are  very  rare  indeed.  It  was  a  real  satisfac- 
tion to  widow  and  daughter  to  pay  so  well-mer- 
ited a  tribute  to  the  husband  and  father,  and  their 
contract  for  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  with 
which  to  build  a  college  hall  was  commemorative 
of  Mr.  Holmes. 

The  grandest  feature  in  these  two  gifts  was 
their  timeliness.  The  donors  accepted  in  confi- 
dence and  good  faith  the  assurances  of  the 
founders  of  Pomona  that  it  was  a  Christian  col- 
lege, backed  by  the  Congregational  churches  of 
Southern  California  and  of  the  whole  country, 
that  it  had  strong  foundations  and  large  promise 
for  the  future.  They  knew  something  of  similar 
institutions  under  the  denomination's  fostering 
care,  and  something  of  the  prospects  of  Southern 
California.  They  had  historical  grounds  for  their 
confidence.  Their  confidence  gave  others  confi- 
dence, and  in  the  providence  of  God  was  a  very 
important  factor  in  the  building  up  of  the  College 
to  its  present  success. 

In  the  very  next  house  to  the  home  of  Mrs. 

[376] 


FINANCIAL  HELPERS 

Field  lived  the  family  of  Horatio  Lyon,  a  wealthy 
manufacturer  whose  death  occurred  before  Mr. 
Sumner  left  Monson.  Mrs.  Lyon  was  an  active 
member  of  the  same  church,  and  one  who  enjoyed 
giving  and  took  real  pleasure  in  adding  to  her  gift 
something  of  her  own  work  to  attach  to  it  a  per- 
sonal flavor.  She  was  a  warm  friend,  and  was 
ever  ready  in  the  day  of  small  things  to  help  some 
project  of  the  College.  In  her  will  she  left  ten 
thousand  dollars  to  Pomona,  at  the  suggestion  of 
her  lawyer,  Mr.  Henry  A.  King  of  Springfield, 
Massachusetts,  an  old  friend  of  Mr.  Sumner's. 
Mr.  King  is  now  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of 
the  State  and  has  rendered  other  valuable  serv- 
ices to  the  College. 

Among  the  bequests  to  the  College,  special 
mention  should  be  made  of  one  from  Miss  Mary 
]S.  Elwood,  which  came  through  Mr.  John  P.  Fisk 
of  Redlands,  one  of  Pomona's  best  friends.  Miss 
Elwood  earned  her  money  with  the  needle,  and 
wished  to  help  other  girls  to  an  education  which  by 
reason  of  poverty  she  had  been  unable  to  obtain. 

Mr.  Hiram  E.  Phelps  of  Ontario  intended  to 
leave  Pomona  by  will  property  worth  perhaps 
twenty  thousand  dollars;  but  owing  to  his  igno- 
ranc(!  of  llu'  Caiil'oi'iiia  law  proliibiling  the  giving 
by  will  of  uuivc.  than  one-third  of  one's  property 
to  bciH'Voh'ncc,  the  College  received  only  about 
one  fillh  of  thai  amount. 

Mr.  Joseph  Bent  of  EHcondido  left  Pomona  an 

[377] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

interest  in  certain  lands  located  in  different 
States,  which  may  prove  of  large  value. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  and  best-known 
characters  in  this  country  in  the  past  twenty-five 
years  was  Dr.  D.  K.  Pearsons  of  Chicago,  who 
died  in  1912.  His  career  was  unique.  It  was 
carefully  and  definitely  planned  and  worked  out 
to  the  finish.  Born  a  poor  boy,  unable  to  secure 
the  education  he  earnestly  desired,  he  procured 
what  academic  training  he  could  and  obtained  a 
license  as  a  physician.  He  married  a  noble, 
broad-minded  and  devoted  Christian  woman,  and 
they  together  mapped  out  their  plan  of  life.  They 
had  both  come  in  touch  with  Mary  Lyon  and  her 
great  educational  work  for  women,  and  were 
deeply  impressed  by  it. 

Dr.  Pearsons  began  the  practice  of  medicine 
in  western  Massachusetts,  where  he  developed 
marked  financial  ability.  In  accordance  with  the 
plan  mutually  formed,  he  sold  his  practice  and 
went  West,  finally  settling  in  Chicago.  Business 
was  successful,  and  he  gave  it  his  undivided  at- 
tention, not  neglecting  the  Church  and  missions 
meantime,  until  he  was  seventy  years  of  age. 
From  that  time  his  life's  work  was  to  give — very 
largely  to  colleges — the  millions  he  had  accumu- 
lated. In  this  giving  he  found  the  joy  and  bless- 
edness of  his  whole  life.  He  died  without  prop- 
erty, save  a  little  money  in  the  bank,  which  had 
been  paid  him  as  an  annuity. 

[378] 


I^INANCIAL  HELPERS 

Dr.  Pearsons'  first  gift  to  Pomona  was  made 
during  the  last  throes  of  an  exhaustive  campaign 
to  raise  seventy-five  thousand  dollars  in  order  to 
secure  a  conditional  gift  of  twenty-five  thousand. 
The  time  limit  was  at  hand,  and  the  prospect 
very  dark  indeed.  To  have  failed  would  have  been 
a  terrible  disaster.  It  would  have  discredited  the 
College  where  and  when  she  most  wanted  credit. 
Hence  the  telegram  that  brought  the  news  of 
a  subscription  of  twenty  thousand  dollars 
from  Dr.  Pearsons  was  received  with  profound 
gratitude. 

His  next  gift  was  also  most  timely.  The  Col- 
lege had  outgrown  not  only  her  meager  facilities, 
but  every  semblance  of  proper  accommodation, 
and  the  science  department  literally  was  crowded 
out  of  Holmes  Hall.  Dr.  Pearsons,  with  his  col- 
lege experience,  was  quick  to  appreciate  the  need, 
and  sent  a  check  for  twenty-five  thousand  dollars 
for  the  building  of  a  hall  of  science.  Later  the 
promise  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  from  him  was 
tlie  sole  leverage,  aside  from  the  work  of  the  Col- 
]o,'f^i',  for  I'aising  an  accunmlated  debt  of  sixt}'- 
H(;v('ri  thousand  dollars  from  the  Congregational 
clinrcli(!H  of  Sonllun-n  Calil'ornia.  It  was  su- 
pnjHH'ly  effective!  witii  tluj  cliurciics.  Tliis  money 
w'iiH  not  to  ))(»  swallowed  up,  not  to  go  into  the 
Kind  of  buildings  whose  support  would  be  a  fur- 
flier  hurdcn,  but  lo  become  eudowmcui,  Uw  iiii(»r- 
(!Ht  ol"  wliicli  would  be  a  pcrpclual  source  of  help. 

[  371)  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

The  last  gift  from  Dr.  Pearsons  made  the 
men's  dormitory  possible,  and  was  a  lift  toward 
the  largest  fund  the  College  had  attempted  to 
raise.  Both  the  times  and  conditions  of  each  of 
Dr.  Pearsons'  four  gifts  are  proofs  of  his  sagac- 
ity and  penetration  in  discovering  alike  the  needs, 
the  weakness  and  the  strength  of  the  College.  It 
may  be  doubted  whether  his  money  has  helped 
Pomona  more  than  his  character  and  his  wis- 
dom. The  visits  of  Dr.  Pearsons  to  Southern 
California,  and  especially  the  winter  spent  in 
Claremont,  were  a  benediction  to  students  and 
faculty. 

One  of  those  most  deeply  interested  in  Pomona, 
and  a  generous  giver,  is  Miss  Martha  N.  Hatha- 
way. A  characteristic  gift  of  hers  has  proven 
much  more  valuable  than  its  appraisement 
showed  at  the  time  it  was  given,  and  the  amount 
of  her  donations,  taken  together,  is  larger  than 
the  sum  given  by  any  other  benefactor  to  the 
date  of  this  history. 

Miss  Hathaway  is  a  New  Englander  by  birth, 
the  daughter  of  Rev.  George  Whitefield  Hatha- 
way, who  spent  his  later  years  in  Southern  Cali- 
fornia. She  is  a  graduate  of  Mount  Holyoke,  and 
was  for  some  years  a  teacher;  for  many  years 
after  the  death  of  Mrs.  Llewellyn  Bixby,  her  sis- 
ter, she  lived  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Bixby,  acting  as 
the  housekeeper  and  the  mother  of  the  children. 
After  Mr.  Bixby 's  death  she  came  to  Claremont. 

[380] 


o 

I— I 

o 


>-] 
< 

"A 
O 
-/J 

<! 

Oh 


FINANCIAL  HELPERS 

Evidently  she  was  born  in  a  benevolent  atmos- 
phere, educated  to  benevolence,  and  benevolent 
from  principle.  She  lives  quietly  and  modestly, 
interested  and  helpful  in  every  good  work.  Cer- 
tainly the  College  has  occasion  to  be  supremely 
grateful  to  Miss  Hathaway  for  her  princely  and 
opportune  gifts  in  its  extreme  needs.  Happily 
she  has  the  satisfaction  of  seeing,  during  her  life- 
time, some  of  the  rich  fruitage  of  her  thoughtful 
charities. 

The  Bixby  family,  with  a  branch  of  which  Miss 
Hathaway  is  so  intimately  connected,  is  one  of  the 
oldest  and  strongest  in  Southern  California. 
Mrs.  Jotham  Bixby  is  a  sister  of  Miss  Hatha- 
way. Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jotham  Bixby  have  also 
been  friends  of  the  College,  and  from  time  to  time 
have  given  it  the  helping  hand.  Mr.  George  H. 
Bixby,  one  of  the  trustees,  belongs  to  this  family, 
and  Mr.  Llewellyn  Bixby,  an  alumnus  trustee, 
came  under  the  molding  influence  of  Miss 
Hathaway. 

Mrs.  Emily  A.  Billings  (Mrs.  H.  G.  Billings), 
after  the  death  of  her  husband,  in  consideration 
of  an  annuity,  deeded  to  the  College  a  valuable 
ranch,  and  later  gave  a  scholarship,  as  well  as 
other  amounts,  whose  use  was  not  designated. 
Mrs.  Billings  was  a  warm  friend,  and  was  con- 
stantly hr-lping  one  or  more  students,  preferably 
CliiiK'se  or  Japanese.  IJer  death  was  a  real  loss 
to  ilic  College. 

[  381  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

A  very  sacred  tie  binds  to  Pomona  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  A.  S.  Bridges.  Their  daughter  Mabel,  a 
gifted  and  attractive  young  woman,  but  having  a 
feeble  constitution,  became  a  student  at  just  the 
time  and  under  the  conditions  to  enjoy  intensely 
the  college  life.  She  was  interested  and  active  in 
every  phase  of  activity  at  Pomona,  especially  in 
music,  for  which  she  had  a  passion.  But  in  the 
midst  of  her  college  course,  after  a  brief  illness, 
she  passed  away.  Her  death  was  deeply  felt  in 
college  circles,  and  there  was  profound  sympathy 
for  her  parents,  who  in  their  hearts  and  by  their 
deeds  have  fostered  most  generously  the  memory 
of  Mabel  in  connection  with  the  College. 

At  different  times  gifts  amounting  to  twenty- 
five  thousand  dollars  have  been  made  to  Pomona 
by  Mrs.  Joseph  N.  Fisk  of  Boston.  Mr.  Fisk,  a 
successful  merchant  in  Boston,  was  born  in  Stur- 
bridge,  Massachusetts,  only  a  few  miles  from  the 
birthplace  of  Mr.  Sumner.  In  view  of  Mrs.  Fisk's 
gifts,  the  professorship  of  mathematics  was 
named  for  Mr.  Fisk  at  her  request. 

One  of  the  most  thoughtful  and  considerate 
helpers,  as  respects  time,  conditions  and  the  ap- 
parent motive,  has  been  Mr.  Charles  M.  Pratt,  a 
classmate  of  Dean  Norton.  As  early  as  1897, 
without  solicitation  or  any  previous  word,  and 
with  a  very  kind  letter,  came  a  check  from  him  for 
five  hundred  dollars,  to  be  expended  in  books  for 
the  library.     This  gift  came  annually,  until  the 

[  382  ] 


FINANCIAL  HELPERS 

College  was  attempting  to  secure  library  endow- 
ment, when  Mr.  Pratt  proposed  to  ''fund"  his 
annual  gift.  When  later  it  was  proposed  to  endow 
the  "Edwin  Clarence  Norton  Chair  of  Greek  Lit- 
erature," Mr.  Pratt  offered  to  contribute  to  that 
fund.  Only  a  man  familiar  with  the  needs  of  a 
college,  and  watchful  of  its  progress,  as  Mr.  Pratt 
has  been  in  his  long  service  as  trustee  of  Amherst, 
would  have  given  so  wisely.  In  recognition  of  his 
helpfulness  in  the  building  up  of  the  library,  the 
large  room  devoted  to  books  of  reference  is 
named  "The  Pratt  Reference  Library." 

It  is  a  cheering  token  of  the  increasing  intelli- 
gence among  the  helpers  of  educational  institu- 
tions that  there  is  less  and  less  tendency  to  tie  up 
donations  and  thus  possibly  cause  embarrassment 
in  the  changes  of  future  years.  Pomona's  gifts 
have  been  made  largely  without  such  conditions. 


[  38.']  ] 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

CRISES  AND  CAMPAIGNS 
The  early  financial  experience  of  the  pioneer 
college  in  new  sections  of  the  country  is  every- 
where much  the  same.  The  fluctuations  of  for- 
tune at  this  stage  of  progress  are  rapid  and 
extreme;  the  tide  ebbs  and  flows  with  the  pros- 
perity of  the  institution's  constituency. 

Pomona,  notwithstanding  her  exceptional  con- 
stituency, has  been  subject  to  great  stress  in 
financial  matters.  In  the  first  place,  the  high 
ideals,  and  perhaps  the  extraordinary  hopeful- 
ness, of  these  pioneers  of  Southern  California 
have  led  to  the  demand  for  finer  homes  and  finer 
public  appointments  than  those  most  common  in 
new  countries.  In  the  second  place,  the  settlers 
in  most  cases  have  had  to  w^ait  from  three  to  five 
years  for  the  income  from  their  lands  instead  of 
one  year,  as  generally  is  the  case  in  pioneer  set- 
tlements. More  than  this,  for  the  first  ten  years 
even  this  delayed  income  was  at  best  very  small 
and  uncertain.  Consequently,  mortgages  were 
nearly  universal,  in  spite  of  the  small  bank  ac- 
counts of  the  settlers.  The  extent  of  the  economy 
practised  by  those  who  had  been  accustomed  to 
comforts  much  above  the  average  was  often  pain- 

[384] 


CRISES  AND  CAMPAIGNS 

ful  to  witness.  But  perhaps  more  than  to  these 
extraneous  matters,  Pomona's  stress  has  been 
due  to  her  rapid  growth  and  her  determination  to 
keep  abreast  of  the  general  educational  move- 
ment, both  in  her  scholarship  and  so  far  as  pos- 
sible in  the  number  of  her  courses.  Without 
entering  into  financial  details,  it  may  be  possible 
by  recounting  some  of  the  early  experiences  and 
struggles  to  give  a  fair  impression  of  the  condi- 
tions which  prevailed  during  those  first  years. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  within  four  years 
of  the  opening  of  the  College  the  giving  up  of 
the  first  location  not  only  cut  off  practically  all 
the  original  subscriptions  on  which  the  College  re- 
lied, save  some  real  estate  at  the  time  unsalable, 
but  also  entailed  the  repayment  of  subscriptions 
already  used  in  building  the  foundations  which 
had  been  abandoned.  Even  the  Claremont  prop- 
erty, except  Claremont  Hall,  was  wholly  in  real 
estate,  for  the  salable  part  of  which  there  was 
then  no  call.  The  only  available  resources  were 
the  tuition  fees,  not  one-half  enough  to  pay  ex- 
penses, and  the  small  contributions  from  an  im- 
poverished constituency.  Moreover,  the  financial 
depression  was  appalling.  Added  to  those  dis- 
couragcnKiiits,  tlic^  coiifidciUM*  that  had  at  first  an- 
ticipated large  results  from  President  Baldwin's 
el(!ctrical  projects  Ix'gan  to  fail,  and  disaster 
was  fr(!ely  pnMJicttMl.  Happily  thei  two  cou- 
tructs  in  favor  of  the  (/ollegc,  one  for  fifty  thou- 

[385] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

sand  dollars  to  be  applied  to  endo\\Tnent  and  one 
for  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  for  a  new  hall, 
came  to  hand  about  this  time.  Their  effect  was 
most  exhilarating  on  all  the  friends  of  the  Col- 
lege. Faith  was  renewed,  confidence  inspired, 
hopes  quickened. 

In  one  respect  the  College  has  been  favored  at 
every  stage  of  its  existence — namely,  in  friends 
officially  connected  w^ith  banks.  Mr.  H.  A. 
Palmer's  bank  was  the  first  to  do  the  college 
business.  The  Dole  brothers'  bank  followed,  with 
Mr.  William  Dole  as  president,  Mr.  John  Dole  as 
cashier  and  Mr.  C.  M.  Stone  as  assistant.  These 
men  all  protected  the  college  paper  as  if  it  were 
their  own.  Then  came  Mr.  Charles  E.  Walker, 
president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Pomona, 
who  has  been  treasurer  of  the  College  for  eight 
years  and  still  holds  the  office,  rendering  inesti- 
mable service  in  the  investment  and  care  of  the 
endowment  funds.  Mr.  J.  M.  Elliott,  president  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Los  Angeles,  and  Mr. 
S.  H.  Herrick,  president  of  the  Citizens '  National 
Bank  of  Riverside,  also  have  been  sympathetic 
and  helpful  in  many  ways. 

Mention  has  been  made  in  the  chapter  on  Presi- 
dent Baldwin's  administration  of  his  magnificent 
canvass  for  funds  during  his  first  year  with  the 
College,  by  a  plan  which  made  every  giver  a 
' '  stockholder. ' ' 

Soon  after  the  dedication  of  Holmes  Hall  ( Jan- 

[386] 


CRISES  AND  CAMPAIGNS 

uary  1,  1893),  the  Board  of  Trustees,  compelled 
to  provide  financial  relief  at  once,  adopted  the 
plan  suggested  by  Judge  Harwood  of  an  "Abso- 
lute Guarantee  Fund."  This  fund  was  to  be 
made  up  of  fifty  subscriptions  of  one  hundred  dol- 
lars a  year  for  five  years,  and  thus  provided  for 
five  thousand  dollars  a  year,  and  twenty-five  thou- 
sand dollars  in  the  five  years ;  the  payment  was  to 
be  conditioned  on  the  securing  of  the  subscrip- 
tions each  year,  on  the  maintaining  of  the  full 
number  of  subscribers,  and  on  the  paying  of  the 
last  bills  in  the  year's  accounts.  After  several 
months  had  passed  without  one  subscription,  at 
the  request  of  the  Executive  Committee,  followed 
by  the  action  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  the  secre- 
tary very  reluctantly  and  almost  or  quite  as  a  last 
resort,  gave  himself  to  a  canvass  for  funds. 
Yielding  to  the  supreme  necessity,  as  felt  by  the 
Board  of  Trustees  and  many  friends,  he  appealed 
to  officers  and  faculty,  although  many  of  them 
were  already  overburdened.  The  response  was 
a  beautiful  tribute  to  their  loyalty  to  Pomona. 

This  leverage  insured  the  success  of  the  effort. 
The  fund  was  duly  raised,  and  both  its  attainment 
and  its  use  gave  much  needed  encouragement  and 
added  greatly  to  the  College  credit.  It  was 
thereby  made  unmistakal)lo  that  many  friends 
wore  profoundly  interested  in  Pomona  and  heart- 
ily committed  to  her  well-being.  This  attninmont 
was  a  fine  preliminary  to  the  establishment  of  an 

.[  387  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

endowment  fund,  to  which  all  were  confidently 
looking  forward. 

Mrs.  Field's  contract,  referred  to  in  an  earlier 
chapter,  to  give  the  College  five  thousand  dollars 
a  year  for  ten  years,  required  the  raising  of  an 
equal  amount  on  the  part  of  the  College  by  Jan- 
uary 26,  1894.  Disappointed  in  certain  large 
amounts  on  which  the  trustees  had  relied,  it  be- 
came necessary,  in  spite  of  the  continued  business 
depression,  to  take  up  this  new  canvass  very  soon 
after  securing  the  Absolute  Guarantee  Fund.  It 
seemed  absolutely  impossible,  so  soon  following 
those  strenuous  efforts  to  secure  the  sum  needed, 
and  yet  it  was  highly  important  if  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  Eastern  friends  was  to  be 
preserved. 

Everything  gave  place  to  this  necessity.  Presi- 
dent Baldwin,  fully  confident  of  the  value  of  his 
electric  power,  sought  and  obtained  his  father's 
aid  by  means  of  a  note  for  twenty  thousand  dol- 
lars, at  six  per  cent,  interest,  secured  by  this  stock 
in  his  project.  The  Congregational  Education 
Society  gave  fifteen  thousand  dollars.  Professor 
Norton  raised  some  money  from  his  friends.  Pro- 
fessor Colcord  went  East  and  got  help  from  his 
early  home  and  from  classmates.  Professor 
Sumner  canvassed  both  West  and  East.  In  one 
w^ay  and  another  the  result  showed  in  what  the 
trustees  termed  ''valid  subscriptions  "—money, 
notes  and  land,  the  latter  guaranteed,  principal 

[388] 


CRISES  AND  CAMPAIGNS 

and  interest — for  the  full  amount  and  six  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars  additional. 

It  was  the  best  that  could  be  done.  To  get  the 
whole  amount  in  money  was  impossible.  Not  only 
the  benevolence  but  also  the  credit  of  many  of  the 
friends  of  the  College  was  taxed  severely.  But  all 
was  done  most  willingly  and  most  cheerfully.  The 
subscription  w^as  rejected  on  technical  grounds, 
and  the  contract  withdrawn  by  the  executors  of 
Mrs.  Field's  estate.  In  view  of  the  legal  compli- 
cations involved,  and  the  recognized  hostility  of 
the  courts  to  the  claims  of  benevolence  against 
estates,  the  matter  was  pressed  no  further  than 
by  a  full  and  careful  statement  of  the  facts,  with 
copies  of  letters  received  from  Mrs.  Field  in  past 
years,  especially  immediately  before  and  after 
the  contract  had  been  rewritten  and  re-signed  at 
the  home  of  her  daughter. 

In  the  place  of  this  contract  for  fifty  thousand 
dollars,  however,  the  following  year  a  new  con- 
tract was  given  by  the  executors  of  the  estate,  pro- 
posing to  pay  to  the  College  twenty-five  thousand 
dollars  provided  the  College  would  raise  seventy- 
five  thousand  for  endowment,  thus  establishing 
an  endowment  fund  of  one  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lai's.  Jn  this  contract  was  a  provision  for  tlie 
iiivestm(;nt  of  the  funds  which  proved  to  be  seri- 
ous. The  time  limit  was  Januai-y  15,  1897,  and 
tlie  money  was  to  b(;  paid  witliiii  thre(»  years. 

Th(;  canvuHH  for  this  H('veniy-liv(?  thousand  dol- 

[  :m  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

lars  was  taken  up  as  soon  as  it  was  deemed  wise, 
in  the  autumn  of  1896.  A  plan  of  canvass  devised 
and  presented  to  the  Board  by  the  secretary  was 
adopted.  All  subscriptions  were  taken  in  the 
form  of  legal  notes  bearing  seven  per  cent,  inter- 
est, to  be  paid  within  the  specified  time.  The  can- 
vass was  made  with  vigor  and  enthusiasm.  A 
notable  feature  of  it  was  the  gift  of  fifteen  thou- 
sand dollars  from  the  members  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  and  the  faculty.  Others  were  the  sub- 
scription of  twenty  thousand  dollars  by  Dr.  Pear- 
sons and  the  gift  of  ten  thousand  dollars  by  Mrs. 
Locke,  through  President  Baldwin.  Twenty  thou- 
sand dollars  was  added  by  the  sale  of  the  stock  in 
the  San  Antonio  Light  and  Power  Co.  held  by 
President  Baldwin,  and  the  application  of  the 
note  to  the  fund. 

A  great  many  interesting  and  suggestive  inci- 
dents were  connected  with  this  campaign,  show- 
ing love  and  willingness  to  sacrifice  for  Pomona. 
One  of  the  largest  local  subscriptions  is  known  to 
have  been  borrowed,  because  of  the  exigency  of 
the  College,  and  carried  by  note  until  it  amounted 
to  nearly  or  quite  twice  the  sum  given.  The  same 
spirit  was  widespread,  and  very  likely  there  were 
other  similar  cases.  One  hundred  and  nineteen 
names  were  on  the  list. 

This  canvass  greatly  strengthened  the  College. 
Money  was  collected,  or  its  equivalent,  to  the  full 
amount,  deposited  in  the  bank,  and  vouched  for 

[390] 


CRISES  AND  CAMPAIGNS 

by  the  officers  of  the  bank.  No  objections  were 
raised  by  the  executors  to  the  list  submitted ;  but 
they  required  that  not  only  the  twenty-five  thou- 
sand dollars  to  be  given  by  the  estate,  but  the 
whole  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  be  kept  in 
an  Eastern  trust  company  at  a  rate  of  interest  so 
low,  and  for  so  long  a  time,  that  it  would  be  to  the 
advantage  of  the  College  to  accept  fifteen  thou- 
sand dollars,  which  was  offered  by  the  executors, 
without  condition,  rather  than  the  twenty-five 
thousand  with  the  required  provision.  The  Board 
of  Trustees  therefore  surrendered  the  contract 
in  consideration  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars.  This, 
however,  resulted  in  a  grand  addition  of  ninety 
thousand  dollars  to  the  endowment  fund,  and  af- 
forded great  satisfaction  to  the  friends  of  the 
College. 

A  critical  situation  which  caused  much  uneasi- 
ness came  to  a  head  about  the  time  of  President 
Baldwin's  final  resignation.  The  College  was 
owing  twonty-two  thousand  dollars  in  college 
notes  signed  by  certain  members  of  the  Executive 
Committee.  Mr.  Blanchard's  name  was  on  eight- 
een thousand  dollars'  worth  of  paper  in  the  form 
of  small  notes.  This  was  a  time  of  extreme  finan- 
cial stringency,  not  only  in  Southern  California 
})iit  also  all  over  the  country.  Most  or  all  of  these 
nol(;M  W('r(!  overdue,  Jind  it  was  practically  iin))()S- 
sibh;  to  pay  any  of  tliciii.  It  iimsl  be  reiueiiibered 
that  endowment  fuiids  could  not  be  used  for  (hat 

[391] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

purpose.  The  holders  of  one  or  two  notes  were 
insistent  on  payment,  and  threatened  suit.  Mr. 
Blanchard  was  troubled,  and  offered  to  give  three 
thousand  dollars  if  his  name  could  be  removed 
from  all  notes. 

Mr.  Sumner  was  still  financial  secretary,  and 
with  the  approval  of  the  Executive  Committee  he 
undertook  to  secure  the  release  of  personal  obli- 
gation on  all  college  notes.  Having  gained  Mr. 
Blanchard 's  consent  to  pay  his  pledge  in  install- 
ments— one  thousand  dollars  upon  the  release  of 
each  six  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  notes  bearing 
his  endorsement — Mr.  Sumner  borrowed  one 
thousand  dollars  at  the  bank  on  his  own  name,  and 
with  it  paid  off  one  endorsed  note  for  that  amount 
which  absolutely  required  payment.  He  then  se- 
cured the  exchange  of  five  thousand  dollars' 
worth  of  personally  endorsed  paper  held  by  his 
personal  friends,  for  simple  corporation  notes, 
and  was  thus  enabled  to  send  Mr.  Blanchard  can- 
celed notes  endorsed  by  him  amounting  to  six 
thousand  dollars.  Mr.  Blanchard 's  check  for  one 
thousand  dollars  came  by  return  mail.  By  re- 
peating the  process,  with  this  leverage,  finally 
every  endorsed  note  was  exchanged  for  a  corpora- 
tion note,  and  the  college  credit  was  established. 
At  the  same  time  the  rate  of  interest  had  been 
reduced  from  seven  and  eight  per  cent,  to  a  uni- 
form six  per  cent.,  all  without  cost  to  the  College, 
and  with  the  three  thousand  dollars  added  to  its 

[392] 


CRISES  AND  CAMPAIGNS 

funds.  The  sense  of  safety  and  relief  by  reason 
of  this  accomplishment  was  great  indeed.  The 
Board  of  Trustees  gave  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr. 
Sumner  for  this  work. 

An  effort  was  made  early  in  President  Fergu- 
son's administration  to  pay  off  the  accumulated 
indebtedness,  and  with  a  measure  of  success ;  but 
the  value  of  the  lots  held  for  sale  outside  of  the 
campus  was  made  to  offset  a  part  of  the  debt,  and 
subsequent  deficits  up  to  the  beginning  of  the 
year  1902,  added  to  this  obligation,  had  caused  the 
actual  debt  to  grow  until  it  amounted  to  sixty- 
seven  thousand  dollars.  Dr.  D.  K.  Pearsons 
agreed  with  President  Gates  to  give  Pomona  fifty 
thousand  dollars  for  endowment  if  that  debt  was 
paid. 

A  campaign  was  inaugurated  for  the  purpose 
of  canceling  all  indebtedness  early  in  President 
Gates'  administration,  and  was  unique  and  suc- 
cessful. While  reference  has  been  made  to  it  in 
the  chapter  on  President  Gates,  it  merits  further 
elucidation.  The  plan  was  carefully  wrought  out 
and  faithfully  followed,  although  pronounced  by 
some  of  the  most  experienced  and  successful  col- 
l(!ge  presidents  chimerical  and  doomed  to  faihire. 
Th(;y  simply  did  not  know  Pomona's  constitu- 
ency. Thci  special  features  of  the  plan  involved 
•<i  lic'irty  conirriitial  of  the  reprcHcniatives  of  the 
churclicH  to  tli(!  undertaking  at  the  nieeiing  of  the 
General  Association  of  (Jongn^gatioual  Churches 

[  393  ] 


STORY  OP  POMONA  COLLEGE 

of  Southern  California  at  Ventura.  An  evening 
session  of  this  gathering  was  devoted  to  an  ad- 
dress by  President  Gates,  who  at  that  time  made 
his  first  appearance  before  the  Association.  On 
the  way  to  Ventura  the  secretary  had  unfolded 
the  plan  to  Mr.  Blanchard,  who  not  only  endorsed 
it,  but  also  volunteered  a  donation  of  two  thou- 
sand dollars  toward  the  amount. 

For  the  following  morning  a  resolution  was 
carefully  prepared,  and  presented  with  the  very 
earnest  appeal  of  the  financial  secretary,  sup- 
ported by  Dr.  Warren  F.  Day,  and  by  a  report 
of  the  personal  contribution  of  Mr.  Blanchard. 
The  resolution  read  as  follows:  ''Resolved,  that 
we,  representatives  of  the  churches  of  this  Asso- 
ciation assembled  at  Ventura,  October  16,  1902, 
especially  reaffirm  the  proportional  responsibility 
of  every  church  in  this  Association  to  sustain  Po- 
mona College,  its  ovm  child;  and  further.  Re- 
solved :  That  we,  representatives  of  the  churches, 
hereby  agree  together  to  use  our  best  endeavors 
to  have  our  respective  churches,  before  January 
1,  1903,  anticipate  their  gifts  to  the  college  for 
five  years,  and  give  their  notes,  due  on  or  before 
five  years  from  date,  with  interest  on  the  amount 
at  six  per  cent."  Much  enthusiasm  was  awak- 
ened, and  the  motion  was  carried  unanimously 
and  most  heartily. 

The  details  of  the  plan  were  somewhat  as  fol- 
lows :  A  meeting  was  to  be  arranged  of  represent- 

[394] 


CRISES  AND  CAMPAIGNS 

atives  of  the  College  with  the  trustees  of  each 
church  and  such  others  as  the  trustees  might  in- 
vite. The  matter  was  to  be  presented  very  fully 
before  them,  with  all  the  facts  desired,  and  a 
canvass  was  to  be  proposed,  partly  personal,  and 
later  public,  the  pastor,  or  one  or  more  represent- 
atives of  the  College,  as  preferred,  making  an 
appeal  at  a  Sunday  morning  service.  Subse- 
quently the  church  representatives  would  exam- 
ine the  pledges  secured,  which  were  to  run  five 
5'ears  with  interest,  sum  up  what  were  considered 
good,  and  give  to  the  College  a  church  note  for 
the  amount,  bearing  interest.  Thus  the  church 
was  to  assume  the  burden  of  collecting  the 
pledges,  and  the  College  had  good  endowment 
paper  at  once.  This  was  turned  into  money  by 
the  use  of  the  endowment  funds  of  the  College, 
and  the  debts  were  paid  therewith. 

The  method  gave  ready  access  to  the  church 
in  the  most  favorable  way,  and  proved  acceptable 
and  effective  wherever  tried.  The  canvass  was 
rapid  and  the  ultimate  results  were  highly  satis- 
factory. The  only  drawback  arose  from  the  fact 
that  it  was  dropped  before  some  churches,  wliich 
were  ready  for  and  expecting  the  campaign,  liad 
been  visited,  I'Ik;  amount  n^ccuved,  tlierefore, 
covered  only  past  indebtedness,  and  not  tlio  deficit 
of  tlu;  curnjnt  yc^ar,  whicli  was  necessarily  largo 
on  a(;c()unt  of  tlu^  abHori)lion  of  current  gifts  in 
tiio  canvasH  and  because^  of  tlio  adiUul  expenses 

[  -m  ] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

connected  with  the  campaign ;  nor  did  it  cover,  as 
was  intended,  the  amount  offset  by  the  value  of 
lots  in  Claremont.  This  arresting  of  the  canvass, 
entirely  unnecessary,  was  a  great  surprise  and 
disappointment  to  the  secretary,  who  had  been 
especially  active  in  planning  and  carrying  on  the 
campaign,  until  he  was  suddenly  sent  East  by  the 
Board  of  Trustees  on  urgent  business  connected 
with  Dr.  Pearsons '  misunderstanding  in  the  mat- 
ter of  his  pledge.  He  had  supposed  that  the  can- 
vass was  going  forward  in  his  absence  as  planned, 
and  hence  permitted  himself  to  be  detained  by 
openings  to  secure  other  funds  in  the  East. 

However,  it  was  a  grand  campaign.  The  finan- 
cial benefit  gained  was  perhaps  of  less  value  than 
the  spirit  of  loyalty  and  confidence  engendered. 
The  money  was  soon  gone;  the  sense  of  unity 
between  the  College  and  the  churches  abides,  and 
its  fruitfulness  will  long  continue.  President 
Gates  said  of  this  campaign  soon  after  its  close: 
''The  apparently  impossible  was  accomplished. 
It  is  a  pleasure  to  testify  that  in  my  experience  of 
several  years  in  college  work  I  have  never  seen 
nor  heard  of  such  loyalty  of  response  to  an  ap- 
peal to  the  churches  constituent  to  a  college  as 
has  been  exhibited  in  the  churches  of  South- 
ern California  towards  Pomona  in  these  recent 
weeks." 

In  about  one  year  from  the  close  of  this  cam- 
paign it  became  necessary  to  raise  forty  thousand 

[396] 


CRISES  AND  CAMPAIGNS 

dollars  for  a  library  endowment,  in  order  to  meet 
the  conditions  of  Mr.  Carnegie 's  offer  of  a  library 
building  to  cost  forty  thousand  dollars.  Coming 
so  soon  after  the  last  effort  of  the  kind,  and  while 
the  church  notes  were  still  in  part  unpaid,  this 
new  effort  seemed  well-nigh  hopeless.  Neverthe- 
less it  had  to  be  made,  and  must  succeed.  There 
was  too  much  at  stake  to  be  sacrificed. 

The  president  and  secretary  constituted  the 
committee  to  raise  the  money.  A  general  canvass 
was  impossible.  Those  of  the  trustees  on  whom 
the  College  had  learned  to  rely  had  been  by  far 
the  largest  givers  in  the  last  campaign.  "Where 
must  the  College  look?  The  question  answered 
itself.  As  usual,  it  must  look  to  the  biggest  giv- 
ers. Five  of  the  trustees  gave  the  fund  a  good 
start.  Then  the  canvass  lagged,  only  occasional 
small  sums  coming  in.  About  this  time  Miss 
Martha  N.  Hathaway  proposed  to  Mr.  Sumner  to 
give  to  the  College,  on  certain  conditions,  stocks 
then  valued  at  sixty  thousand  dollars,  which  sub- 
sequently proved  much  more  valuable.  These  con- 
ditions, after  careful  examination  by  the  Board 
of  Trustees,  were  thankfully  agreed  to,  and  the 
transaction  was  closed.  A  little  later,  at  a  second 
interview.  Miss  Hathaway  at  the  suggestion  of  the 
secretary  very  kindly  offered  to  apply  ten  thou- 
sand dollars  of  her  donation  to  the  endowment 
of  ilie  library.  This  revived  hopes;  but  still  there 
was  a  large  deficit.     Then  Mr.  Charles  M.  Pratt 

[  397  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

of  New  York  gave  ten  thousand  dollars  to  the 
fund,  and  the  forty  thousand  dollars  was 
complete. 

This  achievement  not  only  was  an  untold  re- 
lief, but  it  inspired  large  hopes.  Evidently  the 
College  was  approaching  a  higher  plane,  where 
great  enterprises  were  possible.  One  of  the  many 
pleasant  features  connected  with  the  canvass  was 
the  permanent  connection  of  the  names  of  some 
of  the  friends  of  the  College  with  different  depart- 
ments of  the  library. 

The  greatest  campaign  completed  so  far  in  the 
history  of  the  College  was  initiated  just  five  years 
from  the  date  of  the  canvass  for  the  church  notes, 
and  before  the  library  was  dedicated.  The  amount 
sought  was  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  upon 
the  securing  of  which  Mr.  Carnegie  was  to  give 
the  College  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

The  canvass  was  entered  upon  with  enthusiasm. 
Dr.  Pearsons  and  some  of  the  members  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  with  a  few  others,  subscribed 
considerably  more  than  one-half  the  amount  to  be 
raised,  when  the  canvass  was  checked  by  the  ill- 
ness of  the  chairman.  No  further  progress  was 
made  until  the  campaign  was  taken  up  by  Presi- 
dent Blaisdell.  The  amount  needed  to  complete 
the  fund  was  eighty-five  thousand  dollars,  to 
which  he  added  forty-five  thousand  dollars  to 
meet  the  College  indebtedness.  All  subscriptions 
were  contingent  on  getting  the  full  amount,  one 

[398] 


CRISES  AND  CAMPAIGNS 

liundrecl    and    thirty    thousand    dollars,    within 
ninety  days. 

It  was  an  open,  vigorous,  personal  canvass,  con- 
ducted by  President  Blaisdell  himself  with  whirl- 
wind speed.  It  was  of  necessity  limited  for  the 
most  part  to  the  old  college  friends.  With  re- 
markable perspicacity  the  president  discovered 
the  friends  of  the  dean,  and  the  Edwin  Clarence 
Norton  endowment  of  the  chair  of  Greek  Litera- 
ture was  quickly  assured.  Then  some  particular 
friends  of  Miss  Spalding  created  the  Phebe  Es- 
telle  Spalding  endowment  of  the  chair  of  English 
literature.  In  like  manner  various  other  forces 
were  concentrated,  each  on  some  special  object, 
in  a  rarely  discriminating  way,  all  contributing 
to  the  widespread  interest  and  enthusiasm  of  the 
campaign.  The  result  was  a  splendid  tribute  to 
the  real  strength  of  the  College,  and  a  presage 
for  the  days  to  come. 


[  m  J 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

PRESIDENT    BLAISDELL'S 
ADMINISTRATION 

Close  personal  relations  on  the  part  of  the 
writer  with  three  administrations  of  Pomona  Col- 
lege, together  with  four  years  of  observation  of 
the  fourth,  have  emphasized  strongly  the  differ- 
ence in  the  conditions  of  the  College  and  in  the 
demands  made  by  the  College  on  its  administra- 
tion, during  the  several  stages  of  its  history, 
which  now  covers  a  period  of  more  than  twenty- 
five  years.  Dr.  Baldwin  did  for  Pomona  what 
neither  of  his  two  immediate  successors,  what  in- 
deed few,  could  have  done.  So  President  Fergu- 
son contributed  to  Pomona 's  solidarity  that  which 
it  was  not  in  the  nature  of  President  Baldwin  or 
President  Gates  to  contribute.  President  Gates 
gave  to  Pomona  an  uplift  and  a  national  reputa- 
tion which  only  one  who  already  had  a  reputation 
in  the  east  could  have  given;  President  Blaisdell 
has  the  task  of  building  on  the  foundations  al- 
ready laid  the  "Greater  Pomona." 

The  disparity  of  the  periods  of  Pomona's  his- 
tory has  been  due  in  some  measure  to  local  causes. 
Lack  of  money,  combined  with  the  rapid  growth 
of  the  College,  has  constituted  a  persistent  and 

[400] 


I*I{|;SII»KNI'    .JaMKS    Alt.NOLIi    hi,.\isiii:i,L 


PRESIDENT  BLAISDELL 

ever-increasing  difficulty  to  be  met.  This  diffi- 
culty has  been  augmented  further  by  the  heavy 
demands  made  by  the  constituency  as  to  the  class 
of  work  to  be  done.  But  perhaps  of  more  impor- 
tance than  all  local  conditions  is  the  great  tidal 
wave  of  development  and  change  along  the  lines 
of  higher  education,  apparently  just  now  reaching 
its  culmination,  which  has  been  forcing  the  Col- 
lege forward.  New  methods,  new  theories,  new 
policies  have  had  to  be  discussed,  tried,  in  some 
cases  rejected,  in  some  adopted.  Standards  for 
entrance  and  standards  for  continuance  in  college 
have  been  raised,  courses  of  study  have  been  mul- 
tiplied; optional  work  has  been  recognized  in- 
creasingly ;  polytechnic  credits  have  pushed  their 
claim ;  the  fine  arts  have  appealed  more  and  more 
strongly ;  the  library  and  museum  have  come  into 
fuller  demand ;  the  high  schools  have  crowded  the 
College  at  the  beginning,  and  professional  train- 
ing at  the  end  of  the  course. 

Some  of  the  many  results  of  this  nation-wide 
movement  have  begun  to  be  conspicuous.  For  a 
given  number  of  students  at  least  twice,  in  some 
cases  three  times,  the  number  of  teachers  for- 
merly required  has  become  necessary.  Instead 
of  laboratories  for  one  or  two  dcpartniouls,  labo- 
ratories are  esHcntial  for  many  departments. 
Seminars,  with  their  literature,  little  in  use  when 
Pomona  was  founded,  must  be  provided  for 
nearly  (,'very  (h'partinenl.     All  llie  changeH  li-ied, 

[401] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

not  to  say  adopted,  require  money,  as  well  as  time 
and  thought. 

The  office  of  the  college  president  has  under- 
gone a  great  change.  Instead  of  looking  exclu- 
sively for  an  educator  with  administrative  ability, 
colleges  must  regard  financial  ability  as  an  essen- 
tial qualification.  It  is  hardly  a  question  whether 
the  man  absorbed  in  scholarly  pursuits,  the  ideal 
president  fifty  or  even  twenty-five  years  ago, 
would  be  the  most  successful  president  today. 
Compare  the  well-nigh  ideal  administration  of 
President  Hadley  with  that,  no  less  ideal  at  the 
time,  of  the  scholarly  and  beloved  President 
Woolsey.  Would  that  superb  teacher,  in  many 
respects  the  foremost  college  president  of  the  last 
half  of  the  nineteenth  century,  Mark  Hopkins,  feel 
at  home  in  a  position  in  which  teaching  is  rele- 
gated to  a  secondary  importance,  if  not  practi- 
cally inhibited? 

Great  as  was  the  disparity  of  the  three  earlier 
administrations,  which  we  have  passed  in  review, 
a  still  greater  difference  of  conditions  awaited 
the  successor  of  President  Gates.  To  the  un- 
solved problems  new  problems  were  added.  A 
new  vision  had  superseded  the  old.  The  narrow 
campus  and  the  restricted  ideal  had  given  place  to 
the  enlarged  campus  and  the  expanded  ideal. 
"The  Greater  Pomona"  was  the  slogan.  The 
friends  of  the  College  were  thrilled  with  the  con- 
ception.    They  felt  the  changed  conditions,  the 

[402] 


PRESIDENT  BLAISDELL 

larger  demands,  and  were  intent  on  meeting  them. 
The  administration  of  President  Gates  in  part 
began  to  apprehend  the  situation,  and  made  an 
effort  to  rise  to  it,  but  the  physical  endurance  of 
its  leader  was  insufficient,  and  his  presidency 
ended  with  the  task  incomplete.  The  new  admin- 
istration had  to  enter  upon  this  new  era,  and  as- 
sume at  once  the  difficult  part  of  completing  the 
work  left  unfinished  by  its  predecessor. 

Realizing  in  some  measure  these  changed  con- 
ditions and  requirements,  the  Board  of  Trustees 
commissioned  the  secretary,  with  an  unprece- 
dented liberty  in  the  salary  to  be  offered,  to  go 
forth  in  quest  of  a  president.  He  went  first  into 
the  extreme  Northwest;  then  to  the  Atlantic  sea- 
board, and  thence  back  to  the  Middle  West,  to 
learn  about  men  who  had  been  brought  to  his  at- 
tention. Finally,  with  others.  Professor  Blais- 
dell's  name  was  placed  before  the  Board  of 
Trustees.  His  inheritance,  his  natural  gifts,  his 
education  and  his  experience  seemed  to  have  sot 
him  out  separate  from  the  other  candidates  pre- 
sented, and  to  have  fitted  him  especially  for  the 
position.  Sprung  from  an  ancestry  born  and  ed- 
ucated in  New  England,  the  son  of  one  of  the 
foremost  (Mliicators  in  tiie  Middle  West,  ho 
liad  studied  and  graduated  at  Beloit  College  and 
Hartford  Theological  Scininary,  Ijater  he  had 
])i'('n  f)UHtor  at  \Vaiik(!sha,  VViscousin,  and  Olivet, 
Michigan,  and  profc'ssor  at  his  alma  mater,  where 

[  403  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

pulpit  work  and  the  office  of  librarian  were 
combined  with  his  professorship.  At  this  time  he 
was  just  ready  for  a  sabbatical  year  of  for- 
eign study  and  travel.  He  appealed  strongly 
to  the  Board,  and  was  invited  to  visit  the 
College. 

He  came,  spoke  to  the  student  body,  looked  the 
field  over,  met  with  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and 
ultimately  accepted  the  presidency  to  which  he 
had  been  elected.  Beloit  that  year  conferred  upon 
him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  Likewise 
the  junior  class  annual  of  his  alma  mater,  the 
*' Codex"  of  that  year,  was  dedicated  to  him,  an 
elegantly  bound  copy  was  given  to  him,  and  one 
sent  to  the  Pomona  College  library.  In  this  vol- 
ume is  an  appreciation  of  President  Blaisdell 
written  by  Professor  Chapin  of  Beloit,  whose 
father  was  for  many  years  president  of  the 
college. 

President  Blaisdell  took  up  the  work  in  Febru- 
ary, 1910.  His  previous  visit  had  prepared  the 
way  for  a  hearty  reception. 

One  of  his  first  acts  was  to  give  new  emphasis 
to  the  matriculation  of  the  freshman  class.  His 
address  on  the  occasion  gave  great  satisfaction. 
After  a  short  time  given  to  acquaintance  and  in- 
side work,  he  made  a  very  careful  study  of  outside 
conditions  in  all  Southern  California,  and  to 
some  extent  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State.  Re- 
turning home,  he  announced  his  purpose  to  take 

[404] 


PRESIDENT  BLAISDELL 

up  and  prosecute  the  suspended  canvass  for  the 
Carnegie  fund.  It  was  surprising  how  easily  and 
naturally  he  rallied  his  forces  and  set  the  wheels 
in  motion.  A  prominent  feature  was  his  cam- 
paign literature.  It  appeared  from  time  to  time, 
just  meeting  the  exigency — brief,  attractive,  effi- 
cient. Interest  grew  rapidly  into  enthusiasm,  and 
soon  became  far-reaching.  At  frequent  meetings 
with  his  various  committees  he  directed  and  in- 
spired their  efforts.  The  student  body  was  taken 
into  counsel.  All,  intent  on  one  purpose,  were 
drawn  into  close  sympathy  and  fellowship,  and 
the  end  of  the  campaign  discovered  renewed  loy- 
alty and  devotion  on  all  sides.  The  number  of 
men  and  women  brought  into  close  relations  with 
one  another,  with  the  president  and  with  the  Col- 
lege, was  quite  remarkable.  Thus  what  at  the 
outset  seemed  a  calamity — the  beginning  of  his 
administration  with  a  financial  campaign — in  his 
hands  proved  an  opportunity  not  only  for  a  finan- 
cial success,  but  also  for  a  moral  uplift. 

As  soon  as  conditions  would  permit,  the  pledges 
were  tabulated,  vouched  for  by  the  trustees,  in- 
cluding several  bank  officers,  and  forwarded  to 
Mr.  Carnegie.  They  were  immediately  returned 
by  his  secretary  with  the  affirmation  that  unse- 
cured notes  would  not  meet  the  requirement. 
This  compelled  the  accumulation  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  tliousand  dollars  practically  in  cash,  and 
the  securing  of  paper  that  was  as  good  as  govern- 

[405] 


STOEY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

ment  bonds.  Besides  this,  current  expenses,  made 
doubly  hea\y  by  delay  through  these  changes, 
must  be  provided  for.  The  general  demand  for 
money  was  unusually  pressing.  Friends,  how- 
ever, made  the  matter  personal,  and  the  requisite 
funds  were  secured. 

While  these  disturbing  matters  were  being  ad- 
justed, the  president  gave  particular  attention  to 
the  student  body  and  to  college  problems.  An- 
other characteristic  type  of  bulletins  and  leaflets 
began  to  appear,  spreading  information  and  giv- 
ing new  incentive  and  new  inspiration  in  one  di- 
rection and  another.  The  College  Band  came 
into  being  this  year,  and  fully  justified  itself.  The 
alumni  appointed  a  large  advisory  committee 
with  whom  the  president  might  consult  from  time 
to  time. 

At  his  own  request,  the  inauguration  of  the 
president  had  been  deferred  until  after  the  com- 
pletion of  the  campaign.  The  time  finally  fixed 
for  it  was  the  20th  and  21st  of  the  following  Jan- 
uary. About  forty  institutions  were  represented 
at  the  exercises,  together  with  neighboring  school 
superintendents  and  high  school  faculties.  The 
exercises  were  preceded  by  an  early  dinner  at  the 
Claremont  Inn,  in  honor  of  the  three  presidents 
on  the  program.  A  general  invitation  to  this  din- 
ner had  been  given,  through  the  different  univer- 
sity and  college  clubs,  to  all  gi'aduates  of  colleges 
and   universities.     Two  hundred   and   fifty   sat 

[  406  ] 


PRESIDENT  BLAISDELL 

down  at  the  tables.  This  was  an  occasion  of  good- 
fellowship  and  much  enthusiasm. 

At  eight  o'clock  all  repaired  to  the  Church, 
where  a  large  and  appreciative  audience  listened 
first  to  an  address  by  President  Edward  D. 
Eaton,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  of  Beloit  College,  on  ''The 
Historic  Service  of  the  American  College. ' '  The 
second  adress  was  delivered  by  President  Harry 
A.  Garfield,  LL.D.,  of  Williams  College,  who 
spoke  on ' '  The  Place  of  the  College  in  the  Educa- 
tional System  of  the  Future."  Both  were  rich  in 
thought,  in  scope  and  in  suggestion. 

The  next  day  at  ten-thirty  the  academic  proces- 
sion was  formed,  and  marched  from  the  College 
to  the  Church,  where  the  ceremonies  of  inaugura- 
tion took  place.  Bishop  Johnson  read  from  the 
Scriptures  Psalm  127.  The  college  choir  sang 
"Hail,  Bright  Abode,"  from  Tannhiiuser,  after 
which  Dr.  Kingman  offered  the  invocation,  which 
was  followed  by  the  hymn, ' '  God  of  the  Prophets, 
Bless  the  Prophets'  Sons."  The  induction  was 
by  Mr.  George  W.  Marston,  president  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  and  the  acceptance  by  the 
pnjsident  of  the  College.  The  college  choir  sang 
the  "Sanctus"  from  the  Saint  Cecilia  Mass.  This 
was  followed  ])y  the  president's  address,  the 
thenu;  of  which  was  "The  Culture  of  Loyalty  in 
College  Life."  It  was  listened  to  with  pecnlinr 
inl(M-eHi,  many  passages  being  recu'ived  with 
niaiked  favor,  and  as  a  whole  (dicited  strong  and 

[  407  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

hearty  commendation.  After  singing  tlie  hymn 
''God  of  Our  Fathers,  Whose  Almighty  Hand," 
greetings  were  received  from  educational  institu- 
tions, voiced  by  President  Eaton,  Dean  Norton 
then  presented  Rev.  Charles  Burt  Sumner,  upon 
whom  was  conferred  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Laws,  ''for  his  notable  work  as  a  builder  of  civ- 
ilization." The  exercises  closed  with  the  bene- 
diction by  the  president. 

The  delegates  from  educational  institutions  and 
others  were  entertained  at  luncheon,  after  which 
all  returned  to  the  Church  for  the  formal  recogni- 
tion of  college  guests.  Rev.  J.  H.  Williams,  D.D., 
of  Redlands,  presided.  The  College  Glee  Club 
provided  the  music.  Among  the  special  features 
of  the  occasion  were  a  cordial  letter  of  congratula- 
tions from  President  Gates,  and  the  address  of 
President  Lasuka  Harada  of  Doshisha  College, 
Kyoto,  Japan.  Another  pleasant  event  was  the 
presentation  by  President  Baer  of  a  Pomona- 
Occidental  pennant,  with  a  characteristic  address. 

The  president's  reception  was  held  at  the  Li- 
brary. In  the  evening  the  Choral  Union  rendered 
Handel's  "Messiah." 

During  this  year  also,  under  the  more  favor- 
able conditions,  the  president,  in  his  own  charac- 
teristic way,  used  every  means  in  his  power 
consistent  with  the  pressure  upon  him  to  come 
into  close  personal  relations  with  the  students.  At 
the  same  time  he  made  a  very  thorough  study  of 

[408] 


PRESIDENT  BLAISDELL 

the  College  in  detail,  taking  up  its  history  and 
methods,  both  internal  and  external,  and  so  far 
as  possible  its  resources,  present  and  prospective. 
A  revision  of  the  curriculum  was  made,  including 
some  changes  which  had  long  been  under  consid- 
eration by  the  faculty,  and  the  annual  catalogue 
of  that  year  received  much  commendation. 

The  next  year  opened  with  an  increase  of 
twenty  per  cent,  in  the  student  body.  This  in- 
crease nearly  made  good  the  loss  in  numbers  occa- 
sioned by  the  dropping  of  the  Preparatory  De- 
partment, and  gave  an  enlarged  conception  of  the 
college  constituency.  After  very  careful  study 
and  discussion  on  the  part  of  the  faculty  and  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  it  was  decided  to  make  a  large 
advance  in  the  teaching  force  the  following  year. 
The  president  spent  some  months  in  the  east,  ex- 
tending his  acquaintance  with  educational  insti- 
tutions and  securing  new  teachers.  This  addition 
to  Pomona's  faculty,  ''the  longest  step  forward 
in  its  educational  history,"  made  possible  courses 
in  journalism,  x>ublic  address,  constitutional  his- 
tory and  law,  geology,  philosophy,  the  Romance 
languages  and  physiology. 

Notwithstanding  the  adverse  conditions  in 
Southern  (Jalil'ornia  the  following  year  by  roM- 
8on  of  th(!  frost,  the  student  body  fully  lidd 
its  own  in  point  of  numl)ers,  and  the  new 
teachers  gave  an  added  irni)uls(»  lo  Ihe  college 
life. 

[409] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

An  event  of  this  year  worthy  of  mention,  called 
by  ''The  Student  Life"  ''a  splendid  piece  of 
work,"  was  an  undertaking  by  the  class  of  1915. 
This  was  the  construction  high  up  on  the  moun- 
tain-side, of  ''a  'P'  two  hundred  and  thirty  feet 
long,  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  feet  wide,  with  the 
lanes  thirty-three  feet  across."  A  bronze  tablet 
was  placed  beside  it,  with  a  box  in  which  were 
enclosed  copies  of  ''The  Student  Life,"  the  "Col- 
lege Bulletin, ' '  a  list  of  the  men  who  did  the  work, 
and  the  statement  that  the  structure  is  dedicated 
to  the  Associated  Students,  with  the  expectation 
that  each  succeeding  freshman  class  shall  help 
line  the  ''P"  with  white  rock.  Summer  and  win- 
ter this  ''P"  stands  out,  plainly  visible  over  the 
whole  valley,  a  little  more  conspicuous  when  the 
snowy  covering  or  the  white  rock  increasing  year 
by  year  brings  it  into  fuller  relief  against  the  dark 
background  of  chaparral. 

Early  in  the  autumn  the  twenty-fifth  anniver- 
sary of  the  incorporation  of  the  College  was  ob- 
served in  a  happy  and  effective  manner.  In  place 
of  "Founders'  Day,"  established  by  President 
Blaisdell,  a  "Home  Gathering"  was  planned  in 
honor  of  the  event,  and  the  invitation  issued  met 
with  a  cordial  response.  A  large  number  of  the 
alumni,  including  some  from  nearly  every  class, 
with  many  of  the  earlier  and  later  friends,  came 
together  and  remained  for  two  days,  Sunday  and 
Monday,  October  13  and  14.     The  papers  read 

[410] 


PRESIDENT  BLAISDELL 

and  some  of  the  unwritten  addresses  have  been 
printed,  and  need  not  be  reproduced  here.  In- 
deed, written  reports  could  not  give  an  adequate 
impression  of  the  growing  interest  and  the  spon- 
taneous enthusiasm  which  were  manifest  in  the 
progress  of  the  meetings. 

For  instance,  the  ''Hour  of  Prayer"  on  Sunday 
afternoon,  coming  after  the  morning  sermon,  was 
conceived  most  happily  and  carried  out  delight- 
fully. It  was  so  in  accord  with  the  spirit  of  the 
institution,  and  the  atmosphere  was  surcharged 
so  obviously  with  spiritual  influence,  that  the  mo- 
ments, all  too  brief,  were  a  veritable  divine  ben- 
ediction. Much  personal  experience,  history  and 
aspiration  were  revealed  in  teachers,  alumni  and 
others  by  thanksgivings  and  supplications,  both 
of  a  subjective  and  an  objective  nature,  all  show- 
ing how  fully  the  College  had  entered  into  heart 
and  life,  past  and  present. 

Then  with  Sunday's  background  and  gathered 
force,  from  day  and  evening  services,  came  on 
Monday  morning  the  historical  survey,  with  its 
incidents  and  pictures,  which  touched  every  heart. 
In  the  afternoon  was  portrayed  Pomona's  unique 
place  in  th(;  religious  and  educational  life  of 
Southern  California,  with  the  obligations  she  her- 
S(?ir  has  created,  and  her  unfailing  idealism.  This 
portrayal  \oa]  up  to  a  clear,  (Icfniih!  statement  of 
the  prrrsent  needs  of  the  (/ollegc; — needs  ^vhi{•h 
must  he  met  if  she  is  to  fulfill  these  obligations, 

[411] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

maintain  this  idealism,  and  satisfy  the  demands 
of  her  constituency.  President  Blaisdell's  ad- 
dress, which  followed,  was  especially  forceful. 
Everj^  one  was  ready  for  the  resolution,  offered 
spontaneously  by  Mr.  Goff,  ''that  we  heartily  ap- 
prove right  here  and  now  of  a  campaign  to  raise 
a  million  of  dollars  for  Pomona  College,  and  that 
we  promise  to  stand  by  President  Blaisdell  when 
he  sees  fit  to  inaugurate  such  a  campaign. ' '  The 
resolution  was  received  with  enthusiasm,  and  car- 
ried unanimously  by  a  rising  vote. 

This  high  enthusiasm  was  carried  into  the  eve- 
ning. Pomona's  progressive  and  expansive  his- 
tory as  the  ground  and  prophecy  of  her  future, 
together  with  her  possibilities  here  at  home  and 
her  mighty  responsibilities  for  lands  beyond 
the  seas,  were  vividly  portrayed;  while  as  a  co- 
worker with  God  the  better  and  larger  Pomona 
was  anticipated  with  supreme  confidence,  since 

"The  forward  march  of  progress  beats 

To  that  great  anthem,  calm  and  slow, 

Which   God  repeats." 

The  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  Mr. 
Marston,  spoke  of  the  wonderful  achievements  of 
the  past,  welcomed  the  new  opportunities,  and  ex- 
pressed confidence  that,  trusting  in  that  Higher 
Power  which  shapes  our  ends,  the  days  to  come 
would  be  great  days,  far  transcending  the  history 
which  had  been  so  fittingly  celebrated. 

[412] 


PRESIDENT  BLAISDELL 

The  representative  of  the  constituency  of  the 
College,  Dr.  Fox,  was  the  final  speaker.  He 
brought  a  new  and  fresh  supply  of  congratula- 
tions, with  assurances  of  sweet  memories  of  the 
past,  pride  and  joy  in  the  present,  and  bright 
hopes  and  glorious  prospects  for  the  future  of 
Pomona.  "We  love  her,"  he  said  in  part,  in  con- 
cluding, "for  her  founders.  We  love  her  for  the 
sacrifices  she  has  made.  .  .  .  We  love  her  for  her 
high  standard  of  scholarship.  .  .  .  We  love  her 
for  her  loyalty  to  the  Christian  religion.  .  .  .  We 
love  her  for  her  motto.  We  love  her  for  her  trus- 
tees. We  love  her  for  her  faculty.  .  .  .  We  love 
her  because  at  this  silver  jubilee  she  has  a  presi- 
dent in  whose  life  her  educational  ideals  find  fit 
expression,  and  in  whose  spirit  the  secret  of  Po- 
mona's greatness  is  disclosed.  Surely  James  Ar- 
nold Blaisdell  came  to  the  kingdom  for  such  a 
time  as  this." 

The  occasion  was  unique,  and  one  of  extraordi- 
nary and  cumulative  interest  from  beginning  to 
end.  The  old  friends  reveled  in  the  past,  rejoiced 
in  the  present,  and  were  inspired  with  great  hopes 
for  the  future. 

Not  long  after  tliis  fruitful  gailiering,  Dr.  But- 
lerick,  scicretary  of  the  General  E(hi(!ali()n  Board 
at  New  York,  appeared  in  Claremont,  sent  out  by 
liis  board  of  tnisteeH,  lie  said,  "to  look  up  Po- 
mona." On  liis  way  to  Soutliern  (/alifornia  Iio 
had  viwited  the  universitic's  on  the  Pacific  Coast, 

[  413  ] 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

where  he  had  received  favorable  reports  of  Po- 
mona's standing,  and  before  he  left  he  expressed 
himself  as  pleased  with  all  he  had  heard  and 
seen. 

President  Blaisdell  went  East  in  the  early 
spring  to  secure  teachers,  and  to  urge  Pomona's 
claim  to  a  chapter  of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  society. 
While  engaged  in  this  mission  he  received  a  num- 
ber of  valuable  testimonials  as  to  Pomona's 
standing  among  educators  which  were  gratifying 
to  the  teachers  and  officers  of  the  College. 

The  delightful  ''Home  Gathering"  in  October, 
in  observance  of  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of 
the  founding  of  the  College,  instead  of  satisfying 
the  general  desire  to  give  special  emphasis  to  this 
occasion,  rather  made  insistent  the  demand  for  a 
celebration  of  a  more  popular  nature,  at  the 
Twenty-fifth  Commencement.  A  number  of 
events  were  felt  to  mark  this  as  not  alone  the  rec- 
ognition of  past  achievement,  but  equally  the  be- 
ginning of  a  new  era  of  advancement. 

The  relations  of  the  community  and  the  College 
had  been  so  intimate  from  the  beginning,  and 
their  interests  were  so  inseparable,  that  a  joint 
celebration  was  most  natural.  Both  parties  cor- 
dially adopted  the  idea.  The  historical  pageant, 
becoming  so  common  at  the  East,  was  at  once  sug- 
gested. The  suggestion  was  enforced  by  the  pecu- 
liar richness  of  the  field  for  pageantry.  Several 
strong  Spanish-Mexican  families  are  living  in  the 

[414] 


PRESIDENT  BLAISDELL 

valley.  Within  an  arrow 's  flight  of  the  spot  where 
the  pageant  was  to  be  witnessed  there  had  been 
quite  recently  an  Indian  encampment.  Nearer 
still,  in  digging  for  the  foundations  of  a  college 
building,  an  Indian  irrigation  ditch  had  been 
found  several  feet  below  the  surface.  In  fact, 
three  distinct  civilizations  had  held  dominion  over 
these  very  grounds  within  the  memory  of  those 
still  alive — namely,  the  Indian,  the  Spanish-Mexi- 
can and  the  American.  Indians  at  peace  and  at 
war,  Spanish-Mexican  rural  life  and  festivities, 
and  Yankee  enterprise  and  interest  in  education 
were  fitting  and  attractive  subjects  for  represen- 
tation on  the  stage. 

Professors  Brackett  and  Frampton,  with  sug- 
gestions from  others,  drew  up  the  general  plan, 
which  was  worked  out  in  detail  by  committees 
embracing  a  hundred  persons.  Between  four  and 
five  hundred  were  in  the  various  casts.  Coopera- 
tion was  sought  from  near  and  from  far,  and 
neither  pains  nor  money  was  spared  in  securing 
accuracy  and  efficiency  in  representation.  The 
Southern  California  Edison  Company  was  ex- 
ceedingly successful  in  securing  electric  light  ef- 
fects. The  Donatelli  Italian  Band,  the  Pomona 
College  music  department,  and  Ellen  Beach  Yaw 
left  nothing  to  be  desired  in  effective  music.  Not 
alone  the  dancing,  but  every  part  of  every  scene 
was  drilled  to  perfection.  Perhaps  most  impor- 
tant of  aJl,  the  Greek  theater,  with  its  very  large 

[415  J 


STORY  OF  POMONA  COLLEGE 

stage,  and  background  of  live-oaks,  was  ideal  for 
the  occasion. 

The  pageant  was  put  on  in  two  parts,  the  In- 
dian and  Spanish-Mexican  scenes  in  the  after- 
noon, and  the  American  and  College  scenes  in  the 
evening.  In  the  minds  of  all  who  witnessed  it,  the 
pageant  was  a  really  great  event  in  the  history  of 
the  College.  Its  features  are  carefully  preserved 
in  the  publications  of  the  time. 

In  conference  with  the  Board  of  Trustees  in 
the  winter  of  1912-13,  the  president  read  a  form 
of  application  to  the  General  Education  Board  of 
New  York  for  aid.  It  was  approved,  and  he  was 
requested  to  present  it  personall}^  to  the  Board. 
The  favorable  reception  of  this  application  and 
the  grant  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars toward  a  fund  of  a  million  dollars  were  very 
gratifying.  The  Board  of  Trustees  thankfully  ac- 
cepted the  conditions  and  provided  for  the  prose- 
cution of  the  canvass. 

In  announcing  the  opening  of  a  campaign  for  a 
million  dollars,  before  a  gathering  in  the  stu- 
dents' dining-room  early  in  the  fall  term,  Presi- 
dent Blaisdell  stated  that  he  already  had  in 
pledges  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars 
toward  the  total  amount  to  be  raised  by  the  Col- 
lege. Of  this  sum  five  thousand  doUars  was  for  a 
laboratoiy  at  Laguna  Beach,  ten  thousand  was 
for  the  first  section  of  an  art  hall,  and-  one  hun- 

{416] 


PRESIDENT  BLAISDELL 

drecl  thousand  was  for  a  music  hall  to  contain  an 
auditorium  seating  eight  hundred  and  fifty  per- 
sons, with  a  fine  organ  and  rooms  for  teaching  and 
for  practice. 


[417] 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY,  LOS  ANGELES 
EDUCATION  AND  PSYCHOLOGY  LIBRARY 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


Qt  APR  6    m 
RECErVED 

MAR  12 '81  .2  PM 

£L)/PSYCH  LIB. 

NOV  2  3  1987 
iYCH  UB. 


10 


MAY  05  mSk 


FormL9-20m-7,'72(Q4038s8)4939A — 3,59 


UCLA-ED/PSYCH  Library 

LD  4571  P32S8 


L  005  639  094  1 


